UC-NRLF 


• 


*+ 


I 


•    .'.'.-•.'•:  •.'•.•;•  •'• 


THE 

TOUR 

OF     »»a 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
THROUGH    THE 

NORTHERN  AND  EASTERN" 
STATES,  IN  1817; 

HIS  TOUR  IN  THE  YEAR  1818; 

TOGETHER  WITH 

A  SKETCH  OF  HIS  LIFE; 

WITH 

DESCRIPTIVE  AND  HISTORICAL  NOTICES 

OF    THE    PRINCIPAL    PLACES    THROUGH 
WHICH    HE  PASSED. 

"  You  would  hare  thought  the  very  windows  mov'd, 
To  see  him  as  he  pass'd.  so  many  young  and  old, 
Through  casements  darted  their  desiring  eyes." 


BY  S.  PUTNAM  WALDO,  ESQ. 

Compiler  of"  Rohbins'  Journal,"  and  Author  of"  Memoirs  of  Jackson.'' 


HARTFORD : 

PUBLISHED  BY  SILAS  ANDRUS. 
1819. 


DISTRICT  OF  CONNECTICUT,  ss. 
BE  IT  REMEMBERED   ;    That  on  the    six- 

#  T        Q      *          teenth  day  of  August,  in  the  forty-fourth  year   of  the 
£  i^.    O«    g  Independence  of  the  United    States  of   America,  SI- 

*  .... ...j..,*          LAS  ANDRUScf  the  said  District  hath  deposited 

in  this  office  the  title  of  a  Book,  the  right  whereof  he 
claims  as  Proprietor,  in  the  words  following1,  to  wit  : 

-  The  Tour<jf  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States,  through  the 
Northern  and  .Eastern  States,  in  1817;  his  Tour'in  the  year  1818  ;  together  with 
a  sketch  of  his  life  ;  with  descriptive  and  historical  notices  of  the  principal 
places  through  which  he  passed. 

"  You  would  have  thought  the  very  windows  mov'd, 
To  see  him  as  he  pass'd,  so  many  young  and  old, 
Through  casements  darted  their  desiring  eyes." 

By  S.  Putnam  Waldo,    Esq.   Compiler  of  "  Robbins'  Journal,"   and  Author 
of  "  Memoirs  of  Jackson." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  UNITED  STATES,  entit- 
tled,  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of 
"  Maps,  Charts  and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies, 
»  dBring  the  times  therein  mentioned."  CHA  INGERSOLL, 

Clerk  of  the  District  of  Connecticut. 
A  true  copy  of  Record,  examined  and  sealed  by  me, 

CHARLES  INGERSOLL, 
deifc  of  the  District  of  Connecticut. 


Loonm  Ac  Barnes,  Printers. 


TO  THE  CITIZENS  OF  THE 

AMERICAN  REPUBLIC. 

THE  diffidence  I  feel  in  offering  this 
volume  to  my  fellow  citizens,  is  greatly  di 
minished  in  reflecting  upon  the  peculiarly 
interesting  subject  of  it.  '  However  imper 
fect  its  execution — however  numerous  its 
errors,  and  however  deficient  in  style,  the 
importance  of  the  subject  matter,  will,  I 
trust,  secure  to  it  from  you  an  indulgent  re 
ception. 

With  ardent  wishes  for  the  perpetuity  of 
our  Republican  Institutions, 
I  am,  Fellow  Citizens, 
Your  Obedient  Servant, 

S.  PUTNAM  WALDO. 

Hartford,  Sept.  1819. 


M99739 


PREFACE 

TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 

THE  inducement  to  the  publication  of 
the  first  Edition  of  this  work,  arose  from  a 
desire  to  preserve,  in  a  volume,  the  inter 
esting  incidents  in  the  President's  First 
Tour, — the  Addresses  delivered  to  him,  and 
his  Answers  to  them. 

Knowing  that  a  monotonous  detail  of  ci 
vilities  bestowed  and  reciprocated,  would 
fatigue  the  reader,  I  attempted  to  blend 
with  the  narrative,  Descriptive  and  Histori 
cal  notices  of  the  country  through  which  he 
travelled;  having,  from  personal  observa 
tion,  acquired  some  knowledge  of  the  great 
est  part  of  the  country  the  President  ex 
plored. 

A  2 


Vi.  PREFACE. 

From  the  diversity  of  matter  contained 
in  the  work,  errors  may  be  expected,  and 
will  undoubtedly  be  discovered. 

The  Second  Tour  of  the  President  was  a 
very  limited  one,  and  of  course  the  account 
of  it  is  short. 

It  is  sincerely  to  be  hoped  that  a  much 
abler  hand  will  present  to  the  public  an  ac 
count  of  his  extensive  and  interesting  Tour 
in  1819. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Hartford,  September,  1819. 


CONTENTS. 

As  the  following  work  is  a  continued  narrative,  with 
out  any  division  into  Sections  or  Chapters,  it  may  be  a 
convenience  to  the  reader  to  furnish  a  concise  table  of 
contents ,  pursuing  the  order  in  which  the  work  is  arrang 
ed,  and  the  course  in  which  the  President  travelled. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  JAMES  MONROE,  PAGE. 

President  of  the  United  States,  13 

Introductory  remarks,   to  an  account  of  the  Presi 
dent's  Election,  39 
INAUGURATION,  and  INAUGURAL  SPEECH,  41 
Extract  from  a  Dublin  Gazette,                             -        53 
Extempore  Address,  4th  March  1817,                   -       64 
Introductory  remarks  to  the  Tour  ofthe  President,    55 
CITY  OF  WASHINGTON — permanent  seat  of  govern 
ment,  description  of  it,                                       -        60 
Departure  from  Washington,  31st  May,  1817,           61 
MARYLAND— 1st  Entrance. 

BALTIMORE — arrival  at  that  place,  61 

Observation  of  the  Sabbath,  62 

Manner  of  reception  there,  63 

Address  ofthe  citizens,  and  answer  ofthe  President,  64 
Description  of  that  place,  67 

Passage  to  Newcastle,  68 

PENNSYLVANIA— 1st  entrance. 
PHILADELPHIA — arrival  at  that  place — importance  of 

it,  69 

Cincinnati  Society — Address  of,  at  this  place,  and 

Answer,  -       71 

Description  of  that  place  and  its  rank,  72 

NEW-JERSEY. 

TRENTON — President's  reflections  upon  his  approach 

to  it,  75 

His  reception  there — the  Address  and  Answer,  76 

Christum  Religion — religious  sects,  &c.  76 

New-Brunswick — reception  there,  -         78 


Ull.  CONTENTS. 

NEW-YORK— 1st  Entrance. 

NEW-YORK  CITY — its  political  importance,  To 

.President's  reception  in  that  place,  80 

Address  or  the  Citizens-and  President's  Answer,  81 

of  the  Cincinnati  Society  and  Answer,  85 

Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Domestic  Ma 
nufactures,  87 
President  admitted  as  a  Member,  99 
Description  of  that  place,  commerce,  &c.  99 
Steam-Boat  navigation — FULTON,  100 
NEW-ENGLAND,  brief  historical  sketch  of,  101 

CONNECTICUT— 1st  Entrance. 

NEW-HAVEN,  President's  reception  there,  107 

Yale  University,  notice  of  the  town,  1 10 

Passage  from  New-Haven  to  Middletown,  ]  1 1 
MIDDLE-TOWN — reception   of  the   President  in  that 

place,  112 

Description  of  the  place,                                      -  113 

Passage  from  Middletown  to  Hartford,                   -  114 

HARTFORD — President's  reception  there,  114 

Address  of  the  citizens  and  President's  Answer,  116 

Description  of  the  city.                                      -  118 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum,  119 

MASSACHUSETTS— 1st  Entrance. 

SPRINGFIELD — President's  reception  there,  121 

Address  of  the  Citizens,  and  notice  of  the  place,  122 

Shays'  rebellion — manufacture  of  arms,  123 

Passage  from  Springfield  to  New-London,  124 

CONNECTICUT— 2d  Entrance. 
NEW-LONDON,  President's   reception,  Address  and 

Answer,                                                                  -  125 

Benedict  Arnold,  brief  sketch  of  him,  131 

Notice  of  this  place,  British  squadron,  &c.         -  132 

STONINGTON,  reception  of  th$  President  there,  133 

Notice  of  this  place,  and  its  valorous  defence,  135 

RHODE-ISLAND. 

RHODE-ISLAND,  sketch  of  this  island,  136 


CONTENTS.  IX. 

PAGE. 

Slave  Trade,  136 

NEWPORT,  arrival  and  reception  of  the    President, 

and  Address,  140 

Sketch  of  this  place,  and  its  wanton  destruction,       141 
PROVIDENCE,  Address  of  the  citizens  and  the  Presi 
dent's  Answer,  142 
Notice  of  this  place  ;  Sketch  of  the  settlement,  &c.  143 
MASSACHUSETTS— 2d  Entrance. 

Passage  from  Providence  to  Boston,  146 

BOSTON,  reception  of  the  President  there,  Address 

of  the  Citizens,  and  President's  reply,  149 

Address  of  the  Minority  of  the  Mass.  Legislature       153 
The  President's  Answer,  157 

Address  of  the  Cincinnati,  and  President's  Answer,  160 
CHARLESTON,  reception  of  the  President,  Address 

and  Answer,  164 

HARVARD  UNIVERSITY,  Address  of  the  Corporation 

to  the  President,  and  his  reply,  166 

Hon.  JOHN  ADAMS,  President's  visit,  &c.  170 

Description  of  Boston,   political   and  commercial 

importance  of,  171 

Bunker  Hill— Battle  of— Gen  Putnam,  1 73 

Passage  from  Boston  to  Salem,  183 

SALEM,  reception  of  the  President  there  184 

Sketch  of  the  town;  Quakers  ;  Cleopatra's  barge,   188 
NEWBCRYPORT,  arrival,  reception  of,  and  Address  to 

the  President  in  that  place,  189 

Notice  of  the  town,  triumphal  arches,  &c.  193 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE—  1st  Entrance. 
PORTSMOUTH,   reception  in  that  place,  the  Address 

of  the  citizens  and  Answer  of  the  President,  1 95 

Notice  of  the  place — Washington  74,  198 

DISTRICT  OF  MAINE. 

Passage  from  Portsmouth  to  Portland,  199 

Address  upon  the  President's  arrival  in  this  district 

— remarks,  -  -  -         201 

PORTLAND,  reception  there,  Address  of  citizens,        206 
Address  from  the  Committee  of  Bath,  &c.  21 1 


X.  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

The  President's  Answer,  212 

Description  of  Portland ,  213 

Address  of  the  Clergy  and  President's  Answer,  215 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE— 2d  Entrance. 

DOVER,  reception  there,  and  Address  of  Citizens,  217 

Remarks  upon  the  President's  reception,  &c.  219 

Gov.  PLITMER'S  Letter  to  tlie  President, '  219 

CONCORD,  arrival  of  the  President  there,  221 

Notice  of  that  place — remark,  223 

Pas*  >ge  from  Concord  to  Hanover,  223 
HANOVER,  President's  visit  there,  and  Address  of  the 

citizens,  225 

Dartmouth  University,                          -              -  228 

Mrs.  Wheelock,  229 

Quaker's  reception  of  President,  230 

VERMONT. 

Notice  of  this  State,  230 

NORWICH,  arrival  there,  and  Address  of  Citizens  231 

Address  of  the  citizens,  and  President's  answer,  234 
WIIVDSOR,  Address  from  the  Ladies  to  President  and 

his  reply,  236 
Sketch  of  the  place,  237 
WOODSTOCK,  Address  of  the  Citizens,  239 
Notice  of  that  place,  240 
MONTPELIER,  arrival  of  President  there,    and  Ad 
dress  of  the  Citizens,  242 
Notice  of  that  place,  243 
BURLINGTON,   arrival   there — Address   of  the  citi 
zens,  and  President's  Reply,  244 
Burlington  University,  245 
Lake  Champlain — Capt.  MACDONOUGH,  245 
NEW-YORK— 2d  Entrance. 

PLATTSBURGH,  gallant  defence  of  that  place,  249 

Fields  of  Battle,  260 

Sketch  of  that  place,  251 

Repast  in  the  forest,  251 

OGDENSBURGH — Address  ofthe  citizens,  252 

River  St.  Lawrence,  254 


CONTENTS.  XI. 

PAGE. 

Passage  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  255 

Lake  Ontario — Capt  CHAUNCEY — Fleets,  &c.  256 

SACKETT'S-HARBOUR — notice  of  that  place,  257 
Address  of  the  Revolutionary  veterans,  and  of  the 

Citizens  of  Sackett's-Harbour,  258 

NIAGARA — arrival  at  the  fort,  260 

Peninsula — battles  of  Chippewa  and  Bridgewater,  261 

BUFFALOE — importance  of  that  place,  262 

Niagara  falls,  262 

Warfare  by  conflagration,  263 

Respect  from  an  enemy,  264 

Lake  Erie — Capt.  PERRY,  263 

DETROIT — surrender  of  that  place — Gen.  Hull,  264 

President's  Answer  to  the  citizens'  Address,  267 

OHIO. 

Notice  of  that  state,  268 

American  Savages,                                               -  269 

LANCASTER — Address  ofthe  Citizens,  270 

Passage  from  Lancaster  to  Chilicothe,  272 

Notice  of  this  place,  and  the  Address,  273 

ZANESVILLE  and  PUTNAM — Address  of  Citizens,  274 

Notice  of  these  places,  278 

CANNONSBURGH,  "  seat  of  literature  in  the  west"  278 
Address  of  the  faculty  of  JEFFERSON  College,  and 

the  President's  Answer,  279 

PITTSBURGH — its  situation,  282 

The  river  Ohio,                                                  -  283 

Address  ofthe  citizens  of  Pittsburgh,  285 

The  President's  Reply,  286 

Sketch  of  that  place,  287 

MAR\  LAND— 2d  Entrance. 

HAGERSTOWN,  Address  ofthe  citizens,  291 

FREDERICKTOWN — Address  ofthe  citizens,       -  292 

Remark  upon  the  President's  Tour,             -  293 

Reception  at  W  ishington  upon  his  return,  294 

Address  of  --itix-as  and  President's  reply,  296 

Conclusion  of  ;  «-.«r,                           -             -  297 

Pro:;!;!    it's  First  Message,  301 

Conclusion  of  an  account  of  First  Tour,             -  315 


XII.  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

SECOND  TOUR  of  the  President,  1818,  319 

Remarks  upon  his  first  Tour,  ...  309 
Assiduity  of  Rulers,  321 

President  at  Annapolis — Address  of  Citizens  and  his 

answer,  .  322 

CHESAPEAKE  BAY,  -  -  325 

President  at  Norfolk — Address  of  Citizens  and  his 

answer,  326 

VIRGINIA,  339 

President's  Second  Message,  -  -  331 

JAMES  MONROE  and  ANDREW  JACKSON,  348 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  .SKETCH  ' 

OF  THE  LIFE  OF 

JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


BIOGRAPHY  and  HISTORY  occupy  an  important 
department  in  the  libraries  of  gentlemen,  scholars,  and 
statesmen.  By  the  one,  the  reader  becomes  acquaint 
ed  with  the  illustrious  characters  who  have  imparted 
glory  to  their  native  countries,  and  who  have  secured 
to  themselves  imperishable  honour.  By  the  other,  he 
traces  the  progress  of  events  which  have  elevated 
different  countries  to  the  acme  of  human  glory,  or  sunk 
them  to  the  lowest  depths  of  degradation.  The  AME 
RICAN  REPUBLIC  has,  for  the  last  half  century,  been 
the  theatre  of  events,  and  the  nursery  of  men,  the  his 
tory  of  which,  and  the  lives  of  whom,  would  have 
added  lustre  to  the  most  brilliant  pages  of  ancient  or 
modern  history.  The  impressive  ejaculation  of  an 
inspired  penman — "  Our  fathers,  -where  are  they?"  may 
well  be  repeated  by  Americans  in  the  nineteenth  cen 
tury.  The  members  of  the  OLD  CONGRESS,  ("  I  name 
them  fill'd  with  solemn  awe")  are,  the  most  of  them, 
reaping  the  reward  of  their  patriotic  labours  in  eter 
nity.  But  how  little  does  the  rising  generation  know 
of  their  gigantic  labours,  and  their  splendid  talents  ? 
We  enjoy  the  rich  legacy  they  bestowed  upon  their 
country ;  but  their  memories  are  almost  obliterated  bv 
B  J 


\  :'::;: 

14"      ,         ,    V         .''BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 


their  successors,  and  the  as 
tonishment  occasioned  by  succeeding  events. 

Had  America  had  her  Plutarch,  it  would  not  have 
been  so.  Instead  of  devoting  attention  to  the  men  and 
the  events  of  ancient  time,  the  youth  of  our  Republic 
would  be  enraptured  while  they  hung,  with  assiduous 
devotion,  upon  the  pages  that  recorded  the  labours  of 
their  grandsires  in  the  cabinet,  and  their  exploits  in 
the  field.  The  unceasing  industry  and  exalted  talents 
of  a  MARSHALL,  has  preserved  to  Americans  the  me 
mory  of  their  great  political  father,  GEORGE  WASH 
INGTON.  The  unrivalled  genius  of  a  WIRT  has 
embalmed  the  memory  of  PATRICK  HENRY.  It  is  from 
such  scholars,  that  we  may  hope  hereafter  to  be  grati 
fied  with  a  Biography  of  JAMES  MONROE,  President 
of  the  United  States.  It  must  be  the  history  of  his 
country,  during  the  long  period  of  his  active  life,  and 
various  official  stations,  for  they  are  identified  with  each 
other.  It  is  with  the  deepest  solicitude,  that  I  attempt 
a  mere  sketch  of  the  life  of  this  great  man.  That  the 
sources  from  which  I  have  derived  the  information  I 
possess  upon  this  subject,  so  deeply  interesting  to  the 
citizens  of  our  Republic,  are  authentic,  I  have  the 
most  confident  reliance. 

JAMES  MONROE,  the  fifth  President  of  the  United 
States,  was  born  in  the  county  of  Westmoreland,  in  the 
state  of  Virginia,  and  upon  the  banks  of  the  Potomac, 
in  the  year  1759.  A  century  and  an  half  previous,  his 
ancestor  migrated  to  the  Western  world,  and  was  the 
original  grantee  of  the  soil  upon  which  his  illustrious 
descendant  was  born.  He  was  educated  at  the  ancient 
University  of  William  and  Mary.  His  residence  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  15 

academic  bowers,  while  it  initaited  him  into  the  bound 
less  fields  of  science  and  literature,  did  not  render  him 
effeminate.  In  1776,  when  his  threatened  and  en 
dangered  country  called  upon  her  sons  to  leave  the 
peaceable  employment  of  agriculture,  and  the  delight 
ful  indulgence  of  literary  pursuits,  to  endure  the  toil 
and  privations  of  the  "  tented  field,"  the  gallant  Mon 
roe  joined  the  embattled  ranks  of  his  countrymen,  un 
der  the  command  of  the  celebrated  general  MERCER, 
who  fell  at  Princeton.  He  was  appointed  a  lieutenant 
in  Col.  Weedon's  regiment — repaired  with  it  to  New- 
York,  and  joined  the  army  under  the  command  of  Gen 
eral  Washington.  At  the  battle  of  Hcerlem  Heights, 
he  first  faced  a  veteran  enemy.  He  fought  in  the  bat 
tle  of  White  Plains,  and  was  one  who  followed  the  ap 
parently  desperate  fortune  of  Washington,  in  the 
desponding  retreat  through  New  Jersey.  Although  a 
youth  of  seventeen,  he  was  not  dismayed  at  the  gloomy 
prospects  that  were  before  him  and  his  beloved  coun 
try.  While  many  of  the  troops  were  leaving  the  stand 
ard  of  the  Chief,  and  many  citizens  were  joining  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  Lieutenant  Monroe  remained  true 
to  his  commander,  to  his  country,  and  to  his  God.  The 
time  was  at  hand  when  he  was  to  spend  his  blood,  and 
all  but  lose  his  life  for  his  country. 

The  26th  of  December,  1776,  was  a  day  memorable 
in  the  annals  of  the  revolutionary  struggle.  The  pre 
ceding  night  was  as  dark,  gloomy,  and  horrible,  as  the 
foreboding  destiny  of  Washington  and  his  devoted  fol 
lowers.  Like  the  night  that  preceded  the  fall  of  Caesar, 
the  elements  seemed  to  be  at  war.  The  roaring  of  the 
storm,  the  rattling  of  the  hail,  and  the  concussions  pro- 


16  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

duced  by  the  tumbling  of  ice  in  the  rapid  current  of 
the  Delaware,  would  have  appalled  any  hearts  but 
those  of  republican  soldiers.  The  Delaware  was  cross 
ed — the  British  post  was  surprised — their  commander 
was  slain,  and  his  army  were  captured.  "  The  victo 
ry  of  Trenton"  operated  upon  disheartened  Americans 
like  a  shock  of  electricity  upon  a  morbid  system.  The 
particulars  of  the  battle,  and  the  part  taken  in  it  by 
Lieutenant  Monroe,  I  extract  from  Wilkinson's  Memoirs, 
Vol.  I.  p.  129. 

"  It  was  now  broad  day,  and  the  storm  beat  violent 
ly  in  our  faces  ;  the  attack  had  commenced  on  the  left, 
and  was  immediately  answered  by  Col.  Stark  in  our 
front,  who  forced  the  enemy's  picket,  and  pressed  into 
the  town  ;  our  column  being  close  at  his  heels.  The 
enemy  made  a  momentary  shew  of  resistance,  by  a 
wild  and  undirected  fire  from  the  windows  of  their 
quarters,  which  they  abandoned  as  we  advanced,  and 
made  an  attempt  to  form  in  the  main  street,  which  might 
have  succeeded,  but  for  a  six  gun  battery  opened  by 
Capt.  T.  Forest,  under  the  immediate  order  of  Gen. 
Washington,  at  the  head  of  King's  street,  which  annoy 
ed  the  enemy  in  various  directions  ;  and  the  decision 
of  Capt.  William  Washington,  who,  seconded  by  Lieu 
tenant  JAMES  MONROE,  (now  President  of  the  United 
States,)  led  the  advanced  guard  of  the  left  column, 
perceiving  that  the  enemy  were  endeavouring  to  form 
a  battery — rushed  forward,  drove  the  artillerists  from 
their  guns,  and  took  two  pieces  in  the  act  ofjiring. 

These  officers  were  both  wounded  in  the  charge; 
the  Captain  in  the  wrist,  the  Lieutenant  through  the  shoul- 
dtr.  These  particular  acts  of  gallantry  have  never 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  17 

been  noticed,  and  yet  they  could  not  have  been  too  highly 
appreciated ;  foi  if  the  enemy  had  got  his  artillery  into 
operation,  in  a  narrow  street,  it  might  have  checked 
our  movement,  and  given  him  time  to  form  and  reflect  ; 
and  if  he  had  retired  across  the  bridge  in  his  rear,  and 
taken  post,  he  'would  have  placed  a  defile  between  us, 
which,  in  our  half  naked,  half  frozen  condition,  he 
ought  to  have  defended  against  our  utmost  efforts  ;  and 
we  in  turn  might  have  been  compelled  to  retreat,  which 
would  have  been  fatal  to  us." 

Lieutenant  MONROE  lingered  long  with  his  wounds, 
and  barely  survived  them.  His  subsequent  military 
life  must  be  rapidly  glanced  over.  For  his  consum 
mate  bravery  in  the  battle  of  Trenton,  he  was  promo 
ted  to  a  captaincy  ;  and  was  soon  after  selected  by 
Lord  Stirling  as  his  Aid-de-Camp.  In  this  capacity, 
he  served  with  this  gallant  friend  of  America,  in  the 
campaign  of  1777  and  1778.  With  him  he  fought  in 
the  battles  of  Brandywine,  Germantown  and  Monmouth, 
and  the  survivors  remember  him  with  affectionate 
attachment.  He  was  soon  after  appointed  to  the  com 
mand  of  a  regiment  to  be  raised  in  Virginia,  having  se 
cured  the  esteem,  and  having  received  the  highest  re 
commendation  of  Washington.  Subsequent  events  pre 
vented  the  raising  of  the  regiment,  and  Col.  MONROE 
remained  in  his  native  state. 

He  commenced  the  study  of  law  under  the  direction 
of  one  of  his  illustrious  predecessors,  THOMAS  JEFFER 
SON.  But  his  native  state  was  soon  after  invaded  ; 
and  he  volunteered  his  service  in  the  militia.  In  1780, 
he  was  appointed  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  then  gover 
nor  of  Virginia,  as  a  military  commissioner,  and  visited 

B  2 


18  "BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 

the  southern  army  in  that  capacity.  His  conduct  in 
this  important  trust,  met  with  undivided  approbation. 

Col.  Monroe,  near  the  close  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  commenced  his  legislative  and  diplomatic  career. 
It  would  require  volumes  to  go  into  details.  As,  in  a 
military  capacity,  he  fought  in  the  most  disastrous  pe 
riods  of  the  great  struggle  for  Independence  ;  so, 
when  he  was,  at  the  termination  of  it,  invested  with 
official  functions  in  civil  life,  involving  the  highest 
responsibility,  he  had  difficulties  to  encounter  which 
nothing  but  the  most  matured  judgment  could  obvi 
ate  ;  nothing  but  the  most  consummate  prudence  sur 
mount.  He  might  have  said  then,  as  he  did  in  his  In 
augural  Speech,  as  President — "  From  a  just  Respon 
sibility,  I  shall  never  shrink;"  for  his  whole  civil  life 
has  been  a  practical  comment  upon  this  declaration. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  three,  (1782,)  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  house  of  commons  in  Virginia,  and  by 
that  body,  in  the  same  year,  appointed  a  member  of 
the  executive  council.  In  1783  he  was  elected  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Areopagus  of  America — the  '  OLD  CONGRESS.' 
He  was  probably  the  youngest  member  of  that  august 
body.  To  be  surrounded  by  the  hoary  sages  of  the 
Republic,  and  to  take  a  part  in  deliberations,  the  most 
interesting  that  ever  monopolized  the  solemn  attention 
of  a  human  tribunal,  surely  must  have  excited  all  his 
solicitude,  and  aroused  all  his  vigilance. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  the  thirteen  states  were 
held  together  by  nothing  but  that  feeble  bond  of  union 
"  The  Old  Confederation."  The  small  states  were 
jealous  of  the  power  of  the  larger  ones  ;  the  large 
states  thought  it  humiliation  to  be  reduced  to  an  equal- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  i9 

ity  with  the  smaller  ones.  Mr.  Monroe,  with  the  sa 
gacity  of  a  statesman,  early  foresaw  the  calamities  that 
would  befal  the  confederated  states  for  the  want  of  a 
national  authority.  A  consolidated  government  had 
some  powerful  advocates,  but  was  resisted  by  an  im 
mense  majority  of  the  people  of  the  Republic.  In 
1786,  he  introduced  a  motion  to  vest  in  Congress  the 
power  of  regulating  the  commercial  concerns  of  all  the 
states.  This  motion,  according  to  the  journals  of  the 
old  Congress,  was  frequently  discussed.  It  was  the 
germ  of  our  inimitable  constitution  which  was  after 
wards  adopted. 

Virginia,  the  native  state  of  Mr.  MONROE,  and  then 
the  largest  in  territory  and  population  in  the  union, 
proposed  to  cede  to  Congress  her  territory  beyond  the 
Ohio,  on  condition  that  no  states  should  be  incorpora 
ted  in  it  beyond  certain  prescribed  limits.  He  intro 
duced  and  obtained  the  adoption  of  a  resolution  in 
Congress  recommending  to  that  state  to  make  an  un 
conditional  grant,  and  the  state  acceded  to  the  proposi 
tion. 

At  about  this  period,  serious  controversies  began 
to  arise  between  some  of  the  states  in  regard  to  their 
territorial  limits.  Conflicting  claims  between  independ 
ent  states,  in  relation  to  their  boundaries,  uniformly 
assume  a  hostile  aspect.  Disputes  of  this  kind  have 
caused  centuries  of  war,  and  have  inundated  the  con 
tested  territory  in  blood.  Congress,  with  the  solici 
tude  of  a  parent  to  heal  the  contentions  of  his  children, 
interposed  all  the  authority  that  body  of  gigantic  states 
men  then  possessed,  to  produce  mutual  concessions 
and  cordial  conciliation.  The  eyes  of  Congress  were 


20  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

fixed  upon  Mr.  Monroe  as  a  suitable  member  of  a  high 
tribunal  to  adjust  these  controversies.  His  appoint 
ment  met  with  the  cordial  approbation  of  the  contend 
ing  states.  It  was  a  period  when  the  utmost  exertion 
of  right  was  deemed  injudicious,  and  where  claims  ad 
mitted  of  doubt,  extremely  dangerous.  Amicable  ar 
rangements  were  made,  and  the  authority  vested  in 
this  important  court  was  never  exercised. 

A  provision  in  the  Old  Confederation,  rendered  a 
member  of  Congress  ineligible  to  a  seat  in  that  body  for 
more  than  three  years  in  succession.  Mr.  MONROE, 
having  sustained  this  high  station  for  that  period,  re 
turned  to  the  bosom  of  his  admiring  friends  in  his 
native  state.  Conscious,  that  although  young,  he  had 
become  matured  in  the  wisdom  acquired  by  experience, 
the  electors  of  the  county  of  Spottsylvania  returned 
him  as  as  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  Virginia,  in 
1787.  His  devotion  to  the  -cause  of  his  country  in  this 
situation,  induced  his  fellow  citizens  to  appoint  him  a 
member  of  the  convention  of  the  state  of  Virginia  to 
decide  the  question,  the  great  and  momentous  ques 
tion,  upon  the  adoption  of  our  present  excellent  con 
stitution,  in  1788. 

The  assertion  may  be  made  without  the  imputation 
of  presumption,  that  never,  since  the  institution  of 
civil  society,  was  a  form  of  government  established 
with  such  cool  deliberation,  such  profound  reflection, 
and  such  sagacious  foresight,  as  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States.  The  forms  of  all  the  governments  in 
stituted  from  the  days  of  the  great  law-giver  of  the 
Jews,  to  near  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
were  before  the  Statesmen  of  the  American  Republic, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  21 

The  experience  of  ages  had  tested  their  excellencies, 
and  rendered  their  defects  ostensible.  The  public 
mind  had  been,  in  some  measure,  prepared  for  the 
decision  of  the  great  question,  by  the  profound  inves 
tigations  of  MADISON,  JAY,  and  HAMILTON.  Three 
millions  of  freemen  had  just  disenthralled  themselves 
from  the  power  of  the  British  Crown.  They  had 
literally  waded  through  blood  to  obtain  their  indepen 
dence  ;  and  having  emancipated  themselves  from  a 
foreign  power,  which  they  would  not  acknowledge,  they 
were  jealous  even  of  a  necessary  power  for  their  OWE 
government.  But  the  people  were  intelligent,  and  aa 
appeal  to  their  understanding  was  never  unsuccessfully 
made. 

The  debates  in  the  different  state  conventions  upoD 
the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  would  astonish  the 
statesmen  of  any  country.  These  conventions  were 
composed  of  men  of  every  class  in  society,  from  the 
orator,  who  would  not  suffer  by  a  comparison  with  a 
Burke,  or  a  Fox,  down  to  the  plain  man  of  unostenta 
tious  demeanour,  who  could  not  speak,  but  neverthe 
less  could  hear,  rejlect,  and  vote.  In  the  Virginia  Con 
vention,  Mr.  Monroe  was  surrounded  by  the  great  and 
experienced  statesmen  of  that  Commonwealth.  He 
had  a  part  to  perform,  and,  with  the  modest  assurance 
which  is  a  concomitant  with  real  greatness,  he  per 
formed  it.  The  limits  of  this  Sketch  will  not  admit, 
even  of  an  abstract  of  his  speech,  delivered  upon  this 
interesting  occasion.  It  evinces  a  familiar  knowledge 
of  the  great  principles  of  our  government, 

About  this  period,  the  question  of  the  right  of  navi 
gation  upon  the  Mississippi,  was  brought  into  discus- 


22  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

sion  between  the  American  and  Spanish  governments. 
It  was  even  thought  of  surrendering  the  right  !  The 
comprehensive  views  of  Mr.  MONROE,  induced  him  to 
oppose  it  with  all  his  energy.  He  presented  a  state 
ment  of  the  subject  to  Congress,  which  shews  the  ex 
panse  of  his  mind,  and  his  devotion  to  the  best  inter 
ests  of  his  country. 

In  1789,  the  government  of  the  United  States  com 
menced  its  operations  under  the  constitution.  Before 
that  period,  the  states,  although  they  had,  in  the  most 
solemn  and  deliberate  manner,  declared  themselves 
independent  of  the  British  Crown,  yet  they  could 
hardly  be  said  to  have  had  a  government  ;  for  no  de 
signated  body  exercised  what  is  sometimes  called,  the 
jura  summa  imperil.  The  individual  states  each  pos 
sessed  a  municipal  power  over  their  own  citizens  ;  and 
although  they  were  all  represented  in  Congress,  yet 
Congress  possessed,  in  reality,  no  efficient  power,  when 
they  most  needed  it,  to  call  into  operation  the  whole 
resources  of  the  republic.  They  recommended  meas 
ures  to  the  states,  and  the  approbation  of  the  sainted 
Washington  of  the  measures  recommended,  gave  to 
them  the  force  of  law.  They  found  in  the  people  a 
^public,  a  Roman  like  virtue,  which  made  them  over 
look  private  interests,  in  the  safety  of  the  Republic. 

In  1790,  Mr.  MONROE  was  elected  a  Senator  of  the 
U.  States  by  the  State  of  Virginia.  Having  been  the 
pupil  of  Washington  in  the  field,  he  now  became  one 
of  his  councillors  in  the  Cabinet.  Perhaps  no  body 
of  men,  ever  assembled  upon  earth,  had  a  duty  of 
greater  delicacy,  responsibility,  and  danger  to  perform, 
than  the  First  Congress.  A  Constitution  had  been 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH,  23 

adopted,  and  reluctantly  adopted,  by  some'of  the  states. 
Not  having  practically  experienced  its  excellence,  ma 
ny  were  alarmed  at  some  of  its  principles.  They 
thought  in  the  President,  they  recognised  a  King — in 
the  Senate,  a  House  of  Lords — and  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  a  House  of  Commons.  The  great 
men  who  were  first  called  to  put  the  powers  delegated 
to  them  by  this  constitution  into  operation,  felt  that 
they  must  exercise  a  prudent  caution,  almost  inconsist 
ent  with  necessary  energy.  The  nation  was  involved 
in  debt — the  finances  were  deranged — commerce  was 
unregulated — and  there  was  no  national  Judiciary.-— 
The  surviving  veterans  of  the  revolution  were  redu 
ced  to  mendicancy,  by  a  depreciated,  and  almost  an 
annihilated  paper  currency.  They  had  surrendered 
their  arms,  divested  themselves  of  the  power  of  a  sol 
diery,  and  became  powerless  citizens,  while  their  un 
paralleled  sacrifices  in  the  cause  of  their  emancipated 
country,  remained  unrewarded. 

The  duties  to  be  performed  by  the  First  Congress, 
would  seemingly  have  dismayed  a  Lycurgus,  or  an 
Alfred.  But  the  courage  displayed  in  the  field,  was 
equalled  by  the  wisdom  exercised  in  the  Cabinet.  The 
Journals  of  that  Congress  show  the  part  taken  by  MR. 
MONROE  in  all  the  great  measures  upon  which  the  vital 
interests  of  his  country  were  suspended.  He  was  of 
an  age  when  most  men  commence  a  public  life  in  a 
subordinate  station.  But,  like  the  son  of  Edmund 
Burke,  "  he  was  born  a  public  man."  It  will  be  the 
duty  and  the  pleasure,  of  the  future  Biographer,  to 
detail  his  labours  in  this  highly  responsible  station. 

From  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  to  the 


24  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

year  1794,  the  American  people  felt  little  of  the  acri 
mony  of  party  spirit.  In  the  great  struggle  for  Inde 
pendence,  "  common  danger  made  them  friends." 
The  nerveless  sons  of  Columbia,  called  tories,  who 
were  captivated  by  the  gaudy  charms  of  royalty,  and 
frightened  by  the  roaring  of  the  British  lion,  although 
more  merciless  than  the  foreign  foe,  are  now  remem 
bered  with  no  emotions  but  those  of  pity  and  contempt. 
At  the  period  last  mentioned,  two  great  political  par 
ties  began  to  assume  a  "  shape  and  form"  in  our  Re 
public,  each  claiming  to  be  equally  attached  to  the 
Constitution,  and  each  claiming  to  be  equally  sincere  in 
advancing  the  interest  of  the  Commonwealth.  Polit 
ical  parties  are  the  result  of  political  freedom,  and  dif 
ference  of  opinion,  is  a  consequence  flowing  from  the 
investigation  of  human  rights.  Errors  of  opinion,  in 
this  respect,  will  never  become  dangerous,  so  long  as 
"  reason  is  left  free  to  combat  them." 

The  French  revolution  commenced  under  the  mild 
auspices  of  Fayette  and  Mirabeau,  and  was  even  aided 
by  Louis  XVI.  the  only  European  monarch,  who  was 
ever  a  friend  to  the  American  Republic.  Whatever 
it  may  have  produced  in  its  consummation,  its  com 
mencement  and  early  progress,  was  hailed  as  an  auspi 
cious  event  by  the  friends  of  the  rights  of  man,  wher 
ever  such  rights  were  known.  It  had  advocates  among 
the  first  statesmen  of  England,  A  Bedford  and  a  Lau- 
derdale,  in  the  presence  of  majesty — a  Fox  and  a 
Sheridan,  before  the  people,  audibly  proclaimed  their 
approbation. 

The  French  people,  from  the  reign  of  Clovis,  their 
first  monarch,  to  the  year  1789,  had  been  a  subjugated, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  2o 

a  degraded,  a  vassal  race.  By  their  ambitious  mon- 
archs,  they  were  considered  as  ammunition,  to  be  ex 
pended  in  the  accomplishment  of  their  guilty  projects 
of  ambition — by  their  imbecile  and  effeminate  Kings, 
they  were  treated  as  instruments  to  advance  their  vo 
luptuousness,  and  increase  their  splendour.  In  the 
American  revolution,  they  learned  the  blessings  of 
freedom,  even  amidst  the  sufferings  with  which  it 
was  then  enjoyed  in  our  country.  From  the  extremes 
of  despotism,  they  knew  no  regular  progress  to  the  en 
joyment  of  rational  liberty.  As  the  suppressed  fires  of 
.Etna  find  vent  only  by  a  devastating  volcano  ;  so  the 
extreme  oppression  of  twenty-five  millions  of  French 
men  were  relieved  by  prostrating  every  vestige  of  the 
power  that  had  long  chained  them  to  vassalage. 

The  American  Republic  found  its  first  friends  amongst 
Frenchmen.  From  the  French  Court,  was  the  first 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  deputed  to  the  American  Re 
public,  the  Sieur  Giraud.  "  The  reception  of  a  minis 
ter  from  the  most  powerful  prince  in  Europe,  being 
among  the  first  and  most  important  insignia  of  indepen 
dence,  was  alike  new  and  gratifying  to  the  United 
States."* 

When  the  French  monarchy  fell,  and  the  Republic 
rose  upon  its  ruins,  it  might  well  calculate  upon  a  re 
ciprocation  of  its  former  sympathy  in  the  troubles  of 
the  American  Republic.  It  was  a  subject  pregnant 
with  difficulty  and  danger  to  the  United  States.  Indif 
ference  would  have  been  construed  by  the  French 
government  into  ingratitude — interference  in  its  behalf 

*  Marshall's  Life  of  WASHINGTON,  Vol.  III.  p.  553. 
C 


26  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

would  have  been  considered,  by  all  the  other  European 
governments,  as  a  declaration  of  war  against  them. 
The  penetrating  sagacity  of  Washington,  saw  the  gath 
ering  storm.  Aware  that  it  would  require  all  the  wis 
dom  and  all  the  energy  of  the  American  councils  to 
conciliate  the  French  Republic,  without  becoming  a 
party  in  the  tremendous  contest  in  which  it  was  then 
engaged,  he  determined  to  appoint  a  minister  plenipo 
tentiary  to  the  court  of  the  Republic. 

Unknown  to  Mr.  MONROE  ;  unsought  by  his  numer 
ous  and  powerful  friends,  and  unexpected  by  them  all, 
he  received  the  appointment  of  minister  plenipotentia 
ry  to  the  French  Republic,  in  1794. 

When  he  arrived  at  that  court,  he  was  surrounded  by 
a  people  whose  skill  in  diplomacy,  is  equalled  only  by 
their  prowess  in  the  field.  Those  who  participated 
in  the  high  excitement  of  the  public  feeling  at  this  pe 
riod,  can  best  judge  of  the  difficulty  of  the  duty  the 
American  minister  had  to  discharge.  The  writer  of 
this  sketch  can  judge  only  from  reading  its  history. 
The  dignity  and  independence  of  his  native  country 
he  never  would  sacrifice,  nor  even  affect.  The  friend 
ship  and  amity  of  the  French  Republic  he  sought  to 
secure,  if  it  could  be  secured  by  measures  compatible 
with  the  honour  of  his  own  country. 

Hitherto,  Mr.  MONROE  had  reaped  an  abundant  re 
ward  for  his  incessant  devotion  to  the  cause  of  his  na 
tive  land  in  the  thankfulness  and  approbation  of  his 
countrymen.  But  the  time  had  now  come,  when  his 
official  conduct,  equally  upright  and  honourable,  as  all 
his  previous  conduct  had  been,  was  to  meet  with  the  se 
vere  animadversions  of  a  great  party  among  his.fellow  cit- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  2,7 

izens.  Washington,  during  the  residence  of  Mr.  MON 
ROE  in  France,  was  at  the  head  of  the  American  ad 
ministration.  He  was  the  life's  hlood  of  the  Republic. 
His  sanction  to  measures,  and  jiis  approbation  of  mew, 
gave  to  the  one  importance — to  the  other  reputation. 
His  disapprobation,  rendered  both  unpopular  with  A- 
mericans.  He  recalled  Mr.  MONROE,  and  issued  his 
celebrated  proclamation  of  neutrality.  From  that  time 
commenced  the  coldness  of  the  French  court  toward 
the  American  Republic  ;  from  that  time  commenced 
the  unfounded  clamour  in  America,  against  JAMES  MON 
ROE.  The  letter  recalling  him  was  written  by  Timo 
thy  Pickering,  then  Secretary  of  State,  and  contained 
an  implied  censure  of  his  diplomatic  conduct.  The 
injunction  in  the  letter  was  immediately  obeyed,  and 
Mr.  MONROE  returned,  after  nearly  three  years  of 
assiduous  duty,  rendered  his  country,  at  the  French 
court. 

His  feelings  upon  this  occasion,  can  be  better  ima 
gined  than  described.  He  had  served  with  Washing 
ton  in  the  ;i  tented  field  ;"  he  had  acted  with  him  in 
the  national  councils  ;  by  him  he  had  been  nominated 
to  the  high  office  of  an  ambassador,  and  by  him  was  re 
moved  from  it,  with  implied  disapprobation  of  his  con 
duct.  At  such  a  period,  in  the  life  of  a  high  public 
character,  nothing  but  conscious  integrity  can  impart  to 
a  man  self  respect,  and  internal  tranquillity. 

Upon  his  return  to  America,  he  was  received  at 
New- York,  Philadelphia,  and  in  his  native  state,  also 
the  native  state  of  Washington,  with  every  demonstra 
tion  of  undiminished  respeot.  He  found  his  country- 


28  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

men  divided  into  two  great  political  sects,  called  the 
Republican  and  Federal  parties.  The  former  approv 
ed,  and  the  latter  disapproved  of  his  conduct  as  am 
bassador.  Although  Mr.  MONROE  had  been  too  long  in 
public  life  to  be  enervated  by  commendation  or  intimi 
dated  by  censure,  he  knew  full  well  that  the  sentence 
of  the  American  people  gave  to  their  public  characters 
the  most  exalted  reputation  ;  that  the  same  sentence 
sunk  them  to  a  state  of  the  most  humiliating  neglect. 
He  could  not  have  said,  with  the  greatest  orator  of  the 

eighteenth  century "  Popularity   is  often  acquired 

without  merit,  and  lost  without  a  fault,  and  the  head  that 
is  to-day  made  giddy  by  the  applause  of  the  populace  is, 
to-morrow,  stuck  upon  a  pole."  Had  he,  by  a  single  act, 
in  his  official  station,  affected  the  honour  or  indepen 
dence  of  the  country  he  represented,  silence  would 
have  been  the  dictate  of  policy,  and  sullen  insolence 
the  weapon  to  repel  his  assailants.  But,  founded  upon 
the  rock  of  conscious  integrity,  and  knowing  that  his 
countrymen,  though  jealous,  were  also  generous,  he 
immediately  presented  to  them  "  A  VIEW  OF  HIS  Mis-' 
SION  TO  FRANCE."  The  hoarse  and  dissonant  notes  of 
censure  were  instantly  changed  into  the  mild  and  cheer 
ing  accents  of  approbation.  Washington,  although  like 
the  greatest  men,  he  might  be  led  to  censure  through 
misapprehension  ;  yet  he  never  would  approve  with 
out  the  clearest  evidence  of  merit,  declared — "  He 
STILL  BELIEVED  JAMES  MONROE  TO  BE  AN  HONEST  MAN." 
Mr.  MONROE'S  respect  for  that  great  man  continued  un- 
diminished,  to  the  day  when,  by  the  king  of  terrors,  he 
was  rendered  as  immortal  as  his  own  glory. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  29 

The  approbation  bestowed  upon  the  recalled  minis 
ter  was  n6t  that  unmeaning  applause  which  is  unaccom 
panied  with  some  substantial  tokens  of  respect  ;  for  he 
was  again,  by  the  nomination  of  his  immediate  predeces 
sor,*  JAMES  MADISON,  elected  governour  of  Virginia ,  by 
the  legislature  of  that  state.  He  filled  this  station  du 
ring  the  constitutional  term  of  three  years  ;  and  at  the 
close  of  it  received,  what  is  believed  to  have  been  re 
ceived  by  no  other  governour  in  the  union,  &  unanimous 
vote  of  thanks  from  both  branches  of  the  legislature. 

Mr.  MONROE,  having  from  his  minority  to  this  period 
of  his  life,  alternately  served  his  native  state  and  the 
whole  Republic  in  the  most  exalted  and  responsible 
stations  in  the  home  department — having  performed 
an  arduous  tour  of  duty  in  a  doplomatic  character  at  a 
foreign  court,  he  had  secured  the  confidence  of  all  his 
countrymen,  excepting  that  part  of  them  whose  politi 
cal  intolerance  induces  some  to  withhold  the  meed  of 
praise,  and  the  sentence  of  approbation,  when  they 
are  conscious  it  is  deserved. 

Mr.  MONROE,  directly  after  the  termination  of  his 
gubernatorial  station  in  Virginia,  was  again  called  to 
Support  the  rights  of  his  country  at  a  foreign  court. 
Louisiana  had  been  ceded  to  France  by  Spain.  The 
right  of  deposite  at  New-Orleans  had  been  secured  to 
the  American  Republic,  by  the  latter  power  ;  and  the 
right  was  suppressed  in  a  manner,  and  at  a  time,  cal 
culated  to  excite  a  ferment  in  the  public  mind,  which 
scarce  any  other  event  could  have  produced. 

The  free  navigation  of  the  river  Mississippi,  is  of 
almost  equal  importance  to  that  of  the  Atlantic  ocean 
to  the  American  States.  To  the  immense  and  fertile 

C  2 


30  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH* 

region  of  the  western  states  and  territories,  its  impor 
tance  is  invaluable.  It  is  their  great  highway  to  the 
ocean,  and  without  the  use  of  its  waters,  the  rapidly 
rising  importance  of  this  portion  of  the  Republic, 
would  not  only  be  checked,  but  would  be  almost  anni 
hilated. 

France,  being  in  possession  of  Louisiana,  and  com 
manding  the  mouth  of  this  river,  the  suppression  of  the 
right  of  deposite  at  New-Orleans,  the  great  depot  of 
this  majestic  stream,  excited  apprehensions  that  the 
French  government  were  about  to  cut  off  the  commer 
cial  pursuits  of  the  western  states.  The  people  of 
America  were  convulsed  with  indignation,  and  many 
exclaimed,  with  an  ancient  Roman,  "  my  voice  is  still 
for  war."  The  pacific  policy  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  then 
at  the  head  of  the  administration,  induced  him  to  re 
sort  to  negociation. 

Mr.  MONROE,  in  1803,  was  sent  as  envoy  extraordi 
nary,  and   minister   plenipotentiary   to    the    court   of 
France  upon  this  momentous  subject.     However  ar 
duous  the  duty  devolved  upon  him  by  this  appoint 
ment,  it   must   have  been  grateful  to  his  feelings. — 
Without  doing  violence  to  propriety,  JAMES  MONROE 
may  be  called  the  guardian  genius  of  the  Mississippi. 
In  the  old  Congress,  he  first  brought  his  countrymen 
to  reflect  upon  the  incalculable  value  of  this  river  to  the 
American  Republic.     In  the  Virginia  convention,  he 
displayed  all  the  energy  of  his  capacious  mind    upon 
this  all  important  subject ;  and  in  his  previous  mission 
to  France,  it  was  incidentally  brought  into  discussion. 
Upon  this  subject,  he  was  at  home. 
His  appointment  as  ambassador,  to  negociate  upon 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  31 

this  subject  at  the  Court  of  St.  Cloud,  evinced  the  po 
litical  sagacity,  and  deep  penetration,  which  Mr.  Jef 
ferson  was  acknowledged  by  all  to  possess.  It  cannot 
now  be  determined  how  successful  any  other  negociator 
might  have  been,  at  the  artful  court  of  France  ;  but 
it  may  fairly  be  presumed  that  the  personal  influence 
of  Mr.  MONROE,  from  his  previous  diplomatic  charac 
ter  in  that  country,  induced  that  government  to  grant 
to  this  country,  what  perhaps  it  would  not  have 
granted  through  the  medium  of  any  other  American 
diplomatist.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  now  universally 
acknowledged,  that  the  cession  of  Louisiana,  was  one 
of  the  most  important  acquisitions  to  the  American 
Republic  which  could  have  been  made.  It  secured  to 
this  country  the  exclusive  navigation  of  the  finest  stream 
on  the  globe.  It  brought  to  the  national  treasury,  a 
treasure  almost  inexhaustible. 

The  Lousisiana  treaty  was  conjointly  made  by  Mr. 
Monroe  and  Mr.  Livingston,  the  American  ministers 
resident  at  the  court  of  St.  Cloud. 

Mr.  MONROE,  having  effected  the  great  object  of  his 
mission  to  France,  proceeded  immediately  to  London, 
as  successor  of  Mr.  Rufus  King,  who  had  obtained 
permission  to  return  to  America. 

The  duties  to  be  performed  by  the  American  minis 
ter  at  the  court  of  St.  James,  at  this  period,  were  no 
less  arduous,  than  those  he  had  performed  at  St. 
Cloud.  Mr.  MONROE  seems  to  have  been  brought  into 
the  world  to  be  the  being  upon  whom  the  hopes  of  his 
country  were  to  be  reposed  upon  subjects  touching 
their  dearest  interests. 

He  arrived  at  London  in  1803,  and  remained  there 


32  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

until  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1804.  Earl}'  in  1805, 
he  was  dipatched  to  the  Spanish  court  at  Madrid,  to 
negociate,  jointly  with  Mr.  Charles  Pinckney,  a  treaty 
with  the  Spanish  government.  This  could  not  then  be 
effected. 

He  returned  from  Madrid  to  London,  at  about  the 
time  of  the  death  of  William  Pitt,  and  resumed  his  ne- 
gociation  with  the  British  commissioners,  lord  Holland 
and  lord  Auckland.  Mr.  William  Pinkney  was  asso 
ciated  with  him  in  this  negociation  ;  and,  united  toge 
ther,  composed  a  special  mission  from  the  American 
government.  Their  instructions  from  their  own  go 
vernment  were  specific. — 1st,  To  provide  against  the 
future  impressment  of  American  Seamen. — 2d,  To 
agree  upon  a  definition  of  Neutral  Rights. — 3d,  To  es 
tablish  ademarkation  of  boundaries. 

Mr.  Fox  succeeded  Mr.  Pitt  in  the  administration  of 
the  British  government,  and  the  negociation  finally 
ended  in  making  a  treaty,  to  use  the  language  of  Mr. 
MONROE,  "  the  best  that  could  then  be  obtained."  But 
it  contained  no  provision  against  impressment,  and  of 
course  not  within  the  special  instructions  just  mention 
ed.  It  was  for  this  reason  that  it  was  immediately  re 
jected  by  President  Jefferson.  That  consummate 
statesman  could  not  endure  that  his  countrymen  should, 
any  longer,  be  captivated  upon  the  ocean,  when  tra 
versing  that  highway  of  nations,  in  authorised  commer 
cial  pursuits.  The  American  mission  were  instructed 
to  make  another  attempt,  by  negociation,  to  secure 
their  countrymen  against  an  injury  so  degrading  to  an 
independent  nation — such  an  invasion  upon  the  rights 
of  man.  The  second  attempt  was,  like  the  first,  un 
successful. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  33 

Hitherto  the  American  seamen  had  been  impressed 
only  from  merchantmen  ;  and  although  an  injury  to  in 
dividuals  is  an  injury  to  the  nation,  yet,  in  the  attack 
upon  the  Chesapeake,  a  national  vessel,  the  national 
dignity  was  directly  insulted.  To  impress  seamen  from 
an  U.  S.  Frigate,  belonging  to  an  infant  navy,  whose 
gallantry  in  the  Mediterranean,  had  excited  the  admi 
ration,  and  even  the  jealousy  of  Nelson,  produced  a 
ferment  in  the  American  Republic,  which  never  could 
subside  until  ample  reparation  was  obtained.  Mr. 
MONROE,  who  continued  Minister  resident  at  the  British 
court,  was  instructed  to  demand  reparation.  He 
promptly  demanded  it,  and  pressed  the  damand  with 
such  determined  energy,  that  the  administration  dis- 

patched  Mr.  Ro§e  on  a  special  mission  to  the  American 
Republic. 

This  event  closed  the  diplomatic  character  of  Mr. 
Monroe  in  Europe.  He  had  gone  through  a  course  of 
duty  in  diplomacy,  which  has  never  hitherto  devolved 
upon  an  American.  He  returned  to  America,  after  an 
absence  of  five  years,  and  retired  to  his  private  resi 
dence  in  Albemarle  county,  Virginia. 

In  1810,  he  was,  the  third  time,  called  to  the  office 
of  Chief  Magistrate  of  Virginia.  But  he  had  now  be 
come  identified  with  the  whole  Republic,  and  was 
called  to  the  most  important  station  in  it,  except  the 
one  which  he  now  sustains. — In  1811,  he  was  appoint 
ed  Secretary  of  State,  of  the  United  States. 

Two  of  the  most  powerful  nations  of  Europe,  France 
and  England,  rivals  by  nature,  and  by  centuries  of 
struggles  for  dominion,  were  now  both  guilty  of  aggres 
sions  against  the  American  Republic.  Mr.  MONROE,  as 


34  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

Secretary,  conducted  the  correspondence  on  behalf  of 
the  American  government,  with  both  these  powers, 
with  a  firmness  and  moderation  that  excited  the  undi 
vided  approbation  of  his  fellow  citizens.  The  concili 
atory  disposition  manifested  by  the  government,  through 
the  official  communications  of  Mr.  MONROE  to  the  Brit 
ish  minister,  Mr.  Foster,  rather  increased  than  dimin 
ished  the  insolence  of  ike  British  cabinet.  The  time 
had  come  when  Americans,  having  emancipated  them 
selves  from  British  tyranny,  when  in  a  state  of  infancy, 
would  no  longer  be  reduced  to  submission,  having  ar 
rived  to  manhood.  War  was  declared  against  an  ene 
my  who  would  not  be  brought  to  conciliation  by  negoti 
ation. 

The  expediency,  necessity  or  justice  of  the  second 
war  for  American  Independence  cannot  be  discussed 
in  this  place  ;  and  however  passionately  it  might  have 
once  engaged  the  two  great  parties  of  the  American 
Republic,  the  glory  acquired  in  it,  and  the  independence 
secured  by  it,  have  decided  the  question.  The  part 
taken  in  it  by  Mr.  Monroe  is  what  belongs  to  this 
Sketch. 

The  two  first  campaigns  .of  that  war  were  certainly 
calculated  to  excite  the  deepest  solicitude  of  the  ad 
ministration.  Although,  in  detached  parts  of  the  army 
and  navy,  exploits  were  achieved  which  would  gild 
the  pages  of  any  history,  yet  it  required  all  the  en 
ergy  of  the  Republic,  to  resist  the  power  of  Britain 
and  their  Indian  allies  in  America.  By  the  aid  of  the 
"  Allied  Sovereigns,"  the  British  empire  had  secured 
their  power  in  Europe,  and  directed  their  whole  pow 
er  against  the  American  States,  once  British  Colonies, 
confidently  expecting  to  re-colonize  them. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH,  35 

Her  most  experienced  admirals  assailed  us  upon  the 
ocean — her  generals,  who  had  conquered  in  Spain, 
Portugal,  and  France,  attacked  us  upon  land.  From 
Castine  to  New-Orleans,  upon  the  seaboard — from 
New  Orleans  to  Plattsburgh,  upon  the  western  frontier 
the  Republic  was  encountered  by  an  implacable  foe. 
Death,  ravishment  and  conflagration,  with  all  their  ap 
palling  horrors,  had  been  witnessed  upon  many  parts  of 
the  seaboard  and  the  frontier,  and  Washington  had  been 
subjected  to  the  torches  of  the  Vandal  warriors.  At 
this  disastrous  period,  Mr.  MONROE  was  called  upon  to 
head  the  department  of  war,  and  at  the  same  time,  to 
conduct  the  department  of  state. 

Although  the  war  had  raged  sometime,  the  fact  will 
authorize  the  assertion,  that  the  departments  were 
not  only  in  a  deficient  state,  but  in  a  state  of  almost 
inextricable  disorder.  The  Commissary,  the  Quarter 
master,  and  the  Hospital  departments  needed  a  radical 
reform.  Mr.  MONROE  devoted  himself  with  such  un 
ceasing  assiduity  to  the  arduous  duty  now  devolved  up 
on  him,  that  he  nearly  became  a  victim  to  death.  He 
saw  the  enemy,  repelled  in  almost  every  section  of  the 
union,  directing  all  their  forces  by  land  and  sea  against 
the  great  key  of  the  country,  New  Orleans.  The 
Mississippi,  which  Mr.  Monroe  may  almost  be  said  to 
have  acquired  for  his  country,  was  now  in  danger  of  be 
coming  the  highway  for  its  enemy  into  the  bosom  of 
the  Republic.  But  what  was  acquired  by  the  wisdom  of 
the  Statesman,  was  defended  by  the  judicious  arrange 
ment  of  the  Soldier. 

From  the  conclusion  of  peace  in  1815,  to  the  4th  of 
March,  1817,  Mr.  Monroe  continued  in  the  Depart- 


36  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

ment  of  State,  at  which  time  he  was  raised  to  the  high 
est  station,  at  this  time,  upon  earth,  that  of  PRESIDENT 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  great  principles  upon  which  he  will  conduct  his 
administration,  are  contained  in  his  Inaugural  Speech 
and  First  Message  to  Congress. 

In  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1817,  Mr.  Monroe 
made  his  first  Tour  through  the  states  of  Maryland, 
Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  New  Jersey,  New  York,  and 
New  England  ;  and  was  every  where  received  with 
those  demonstrations  of  attachment  and  respect  which 
all  the  potentates  of  the  Eastern  world  may  justly  envy, 
but  cannot  hope  to  enjoy. 

In  December,  1817,  Mr.  Monroe  met  the  first 
Congress  that  was  assembled  under  his  administration. 
Never,  since  the  immortalized  and  sainted  WASHING 
TON  first  appeared  at  the  head  of  that  august  body,  has 
any  President  been  received  with  more  marked  tokens 
of  sincere  respect,  and  deserved  admiration.  The 
great  councillors  of  the  nation  reposed  in  him  a  confi 
dence  almost  unlimited.  Not  that  confidence  which  is 
enforced  ;  and  which  induced  an  eminent  English  states 
man  to  declare,  (when  called  upon  to  place  it  in  "  the 
ministry,") — "  Necessary  confidence  is  at  best  but  a  ne 
cessary  evil."  It  was  a  confidence  arising  from  cordial 
approbation  ;  and  that  approbation  was  founded  upon 
deserved  merit. 

His  first  Message  is  in  the  hands  of  all,  and  by  all, 
admired.  It  evinces  a  familiar  knowledge  of  the  great 
principles  of  our  admirable  Constitution,  and  of  the 
great  interests  of  our  expanding  Republic. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  session  of  Congress  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH.  37 

1818,  the  President  commenced  his  Second  Tour, 
which  was  rendered  very  limited  by  the  pressing  ne 
cessity  of  his  presence  at  the  seat  of  government. 

The  appalling  horrours  of  Indian  warfare,  were  ex 
hibiting  its  tragical  scenes  upon  the  borders  of  the  states 
and  territories  bounding  upon  Florida.  Aided  and 
abetted  by  foreign  emissaries,  more  destitute  of  mer 
cy  and  principle,  if  possible,  than  the  Siminoles  them 
selves,  these  wretched  and  barbarous  outcasts,  even 
from  savage  society,  were  spreading  consternation,  ha 
voc,  torture  and  death,  amongst  the  defenceless,  and 
then  undefended  citizens  upon  the  frontiers. 

The  President,  assisted  by  the  councils  of  a  Cabinet 
of  profound  and  patriotic  statesmen,  resorted  to  meas 
ures  calculated  to  meet  the  emergency. 

In  ANDREW  JACKSON,  COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF  OF 
THE  DIVISION  OF  THE  SOUTH,  the  President  found  a 
man  fit  for  any  emergency, — a  Statesman,  cool  and  dis 
passionate — a  Soldier,  terrible  in  battle  and  mild  in 
victory — a  Patriot,  whose  bosom  swelled  with  love  of 
country — in  fine  a  man,  "  -whose  like  we  scarce  shall 
look  upon  again." 

The  war  with  the  Siminoles  and  their  diabolical  in 
stigators  ended  in  the  complete  discomfiture  of  both  ; 
and  the  measures  of  JAMES  MONROE  in  the  Cabinet, 
and  of  ANDREW  JACKSON  in  the  Field,  have  met  with 
the  approbation  of  an  immense  majority  of  the  Ameri 
can  people. 

Mr.  Monroe,  ever  keeping  in  view  the  rights  and  the 

interests  of  the  Republic,   and  fully  determined  that 

neither  should  be  wantonly  invaded,  was  determined 

that  the  controversy,  so  long  pending  between  the  go- 

D 


38  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

vernment  over  which  he  now  so  happily  presides,  and 
that  of  Spain,  over  which  the  imbecile  and  tyrannical 
Ferdinand  VII.  wields  the  sceptre  of  despotic  power, 
should  be  adjusted,  caused  a-negociation  to  be  entered 
into,  which  has  terminated  in  the  cession  of  the  Flori- 
das  to  the  American  government. 

The  advantages  of  this  cession  can  scarcely  now  be 
duly  appreciated.  It  relieves  an  extensive  frontier 
from  a  civilized  and  barbarous  foe — it  gives  to  us  al 
most  the  complete  command  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico — 
it  increases  our  national  resources — it  invites  the  ne 
ver  ending  enterprise  of  our  citizens  to  extend  the 
settlement  of  our  immense  Republic — and  in  short,  it 
is  an  acquisition,  second  only  to  that  of  Louisiana,  for 
which  the  nation  is  indebted  to  JAMES  MONROE. 

The  President  is  now,  (July  1819)  upon  his  Third 
Tour  through  the  Southern  and  Western  States. 


THE 

ELECTION,  INAUGURATION,  AND 
INAUGURAL  SPEECH, 

OF 

JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


IN  an  hereditary  government,  the  standing  axiom 
is — the  kin<r  never  dies — and  when  the  prince  who 
wears  the  diadem,  pays  the  great  debt  of  nature,  it  is 
called  the  demise  of  the  crown.  It  passes  from  the  head 
of  the  deceased  monarch  to  that  of  the  heir  apparent  ; 
and  the  operation  of  the  royal  prerogative  is  never  sus 
pended.  It  has,  indeed,  often  occurred,  that  crowns 
have  been  wrested  from  the  heads  of  legitimate  mon- 
archs,  placed  upon  the  brows  of  an  usurper,  and  the 
line  of  royal  succession  broken.  The  violent  death 
of  princes  in  despotic  governments  is  often  a  part  of 
their  blood-stained  histories.  From  the  perilous  ele 
vation  upon  which  they  are  placed,  to  the  gulf  of  de 
struction  yawning  beneath  them,  there  is  often  but  one 
step,  and  that  is — assassination.  The  throne  of  a  strang 
led  Paw/,  is  no\v  occupied  by  Alexander,  his  imperious 
son.  Sometimes  thrones  have  been  voluntarily  or  co- 
ercively  abdicated  by  one  line  of  princes,  and  assumed 
by  another.  The  house  of  Stuart,  of  England,  in  this 


40  ELECTION,    &C. 

way  wns  compelled  to  yield  to  that  of  Brunswick.  The 
Bourbons,  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century,  were  ex 
iles  ;  but  that  league,  called  the  "  Allied  Sovereigns," 
that  tremendous  association  of  earthly  potentates,  • 
which  seems  to  threaten  the  annihilation. of  the  right? 
®f  man,  has  placed  Louis  XVIII.  upon  the  throne  of 
France,  and  Ferdinand  VII.  upon  that  of  Spain.  This 
union  of '  Legitimate  Sovereigns,'  must,  at  present,  blast 
the  hopes  of  heaven-born  and  patriotic  geniuses,  like 
TELL,  WALLACE,  and  WASHINGTON.  Humbled  and 
degraded  man  seems  to  be  doomed,  in  the  Eastern 
world,  to  submit  to  a  power  which  never  emanated 
from  them,  and  which  is  exercised  more  for  the  pur 
poses  of  giving  splendour  to  princes,  than  happiness  to 
subjects. 

But  in  the  Western  hemisphere,  the  luminary  of  the 
universe  sheds  its  rays  upon  a  people  born  free,  and 
enjoying  freedom.  In  the  spiritual  world,  the  STAR 
IN  THE  EAST  arose,  and  still  sheds  its  beams  upon  a  re 
deemed  world.  In  the  political  world  the  sun  of  free 
dom  arose  in  the  WEST.  What  American  bosom  i* 
there  but  must  swell  with  undissembled  gratitude  to 
that  ALMIGHTY  BEING  who  holds  the  destiny  of  man  al 
his  disposal.  The  history  of  the  last  half  century  i? 
the  record  of  their  glory,  and  each  revolving  year  has 
added  one  to  the  calendar  of  their  temporal  felicity. 
They  have  seen  a  revolution  gloriously  terminated — 
a  constitution  immoveably  established.  They  have  en 
joyed  the  splendid  and  happy  administrations  of  WASH 
INGTON,  ADAMS,  JEFFERSON,  and  MADISON.  They 
have  seen  them  placed  in  the  chair  of  state  by  the  free 
suffrages  of  their  countrymen,  and  pursuing  the  best  in- 


ELECTiON,    &C.  41 

terest  of  the  people  in  every  measure  of  their  govern 
ment.  They  have  mourned,  in  the  deepest  shades  of 
sorrow,  at  the  departure  of  the  first  from  the  world, 
and  now  rejoice  in  seeing  the  others  enjoying,  in  the 
bosom  of  their  grateful  countrymen,  all  the  blessings  of 
philosophic  retirement.  They  now  witness  the  com 
mencement  of  a  new  administration  under  JAMES 
MONROE.  In  him  they  recognize  the  scientific  schol 
ar,  the  patriotic  soldier,  and  the  experienced  states 
man.  To  him  they  look  with  a  confidence  that  will  not 
be  deceived,  and  with  hopes  that  will  be  realized,  as 
to  a  political  father. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  Inaugura 
tion,  and  the  President's  Inaugural  Speech.,  is  extract 
ed  from  a  Washington  Gazette, 

WASHINGTON,  March  5th,   1817. 
THE  INAUGURATION. 

Under  the  auspices  of  a  delightful  day,  yesterday 
took  place  the  interesting  ceremony  attendant  on  the 
entrance  of  the  President  elect  of  the  United  States, 
on  the  duties  of  his  arduous  station.  The  ceremony 
and  the  spectacle  was  simple,  but  grand,  animating,  and 
impressive. 

At  half  after  1 1  o'clock,  the  President,  with  him 
the  Vice  President  elect,  left  his  private  residence,  at 
tended  by  a  large  cavalcade  of  citizens  on  horseback, 
marshalled  by  the  gentlemen  appointed  to  that  duty. 

The  President  reached  the  Congress  Hall  a  little 
before  12  ;  at  the  same  time  the  Ex-President  arrived, 
and  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.  All  having  en 
tered  the  Chamber  of  the  Senate,  then  in  session,  the 
D  2 


42 

Vice  President  took  the  chair,  and  the  oath  of  office 
was  administered  to  him.  A  pertinent  address  was  de 
livered  on  the  occasion  by  the  Vice-President. 

The  ceremony  having  ended,  the  Senate  adjourned, 
and  the  President  and  Vice-President,  the  Judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  the  Senate  generally,  the  Mar 
shals,  &c.  attended  the  President  to  the  elevated  Porti 
co,  temporarily  erected  for  the  occasion,  where,  in  the 
presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  officers  of  the 
government,  foreign  officers,  strangers,  (ladies  as  well 
as  gentlemen)  and  citizens,  the  President  rose  and  de 
livered  the  following 

SPEECH  : 

I  should  be  destitute  of  feeling,  if  I  was  not  deeply 
affected  by  the  strong  proof  which  my  fellow  citizens 
have  given  me  of  their  confidence,  in  calling  me  to  the 
high  office,  whose  functions  1  am  about  to  assume. 
As  the  expression  of  their  good  opinion  of  my  conduct 
in  the  public  service,  I  derive  from  it  a  gratification, 
which  those  who  are  conscious  of  having  done  all  that 
they  could  to  merit  it,  can  alone  feel.  My  sensibility 
is  increased  by  a  just  estimate  of  the  importance  of  the 
trust,  and  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  its  duties  ;  with 
the  proper  discharge  of  which,  the  highest  interests 
of  a  great  and  free  people  are  intimately  connected. 
Conscious  of  my  own  deficiency,  I  cannot  enter  on 
those  duties  without  great  anxiety  for  the  result. — 
From  a  just  responsibility  I  shall  never  shrink  ;  cal 
culating  with  confidence,  that  in  my  best  efforts  to  pro 
mote  the  public  welfare,  my  motives  will  be  duly  ap- 
prec^ated,  and  my  conduct  be  viewed  with  that  can 
dour  and  indulgence,  which  I  have  experienced  in 
other  stations. 

In  commencing  the  duties  ofthe  chief  executive  office 
it  has  been  the  practice  ofthe  distinguished  men  who 
have  gone  before  me,  to  explain  the  principles  which 
would  govern  them  in  their  respective  administrations. 


ELECTION,    &C.  43 

In  following  their  venerated  examples,  my  attention  is 
naturally  drawn  to  the  great  causes  which  have  con 
tributed,  in  a -principal  degree,  to  produce  the  present 
happy  condition  of  the  United  States.  They  will  hest 
explain  the  nature  of  our  duties,  and  shed  much  light 
on  the  policy  which  ought  to  be  pursued  in  future. 

From  the  commencement  of  our  revolution  to  the 
present  day,  almost  forty  years  have  elapsed,  and  from 
the  establishment  of  this  constitution,  twenty-eight. 
Through  this  whole  term,  the  government  has  been, 
what  may  emphatically  be  called  self-government  ;  and 
what  has  been  the  effect  ?  To  whatever  object  we  turn 
our  attention,  whether  it  relates  to  our  foreign  or  do 
mestic  concerns,  we  find  abundant  cause  to  felicitate 
ourselves  in  the  excellence  of  our  institutions.  Dur 
ing  a  period,  fraught  with  difficulties,  and  marked  by 
very  extraordinary  events,  the  United  States  have 
flourished  beyond  example — the  citizens,  individually, 
have  been  happy,  and  the  nation  prosperous. 

Under  this  constitution,  our  commerce  has  been 
wisely  regulated  with  foreign  nations,  and  between  the 
states  ;  new  states  Irave  been  admitted  into  our  Union  ; 
our  territory  has  been  enlarged,  by  fair  and  honour 
able  treaty,  and  with  great  advantage  to  the  ori 
ginal  states  ;  the  states,  respectively,  protected  by  the 
national  government,  under  a  mild  parental  system, 
against  foreign  dangers,  and  enjoying,  within  their  sep 
arate  spheres,  by  a  wise  partition  of  power,  a  just  pro 
portion  of  the  sovereignty,  have  improved  their  police, 
extended  their  settlements,  and  attained  a  strength  and 
maturity  which  are  the  best  proofs  of  wholesome  laws, 
well  administered.  And  if  we  look  to  the  condition  of 
individuals,  what  a  proud  spectacle  does  it  exhibit  ! 
On  whom  has  oppression  fallen  in  any  quarter  of  our 
Union  ?  Who  has  been  deprived  of  any  right  of  person 
or  property  ?  Who  restrained  from  offering  his  vows, 
in  the  mode  which  he  prefers,  to  the  Divine  Author  of 
his  being  ?  It  is  well  known,  that  all  these  blessings 
have  been  enjoyed  in  their  fullest  extent  ;  and  I  add, 
with  peculiar  satisfaction,  that  there  has  been  no  ex 
ample  of  a  capital  punishment  being  inflicted  on  any 
one  for  the  crime  of  high  treason. 


44  ELECTION,  &c. 

Some,  who  might  admit  the  competency  of  our  gov 
ernment  to  these  beneficent  duties,  might  doubt  it  in 
trials  which  put  to  the  test  its  strength  and  efficiency, 
as  a  member  of  the  great  commuriit}r  of  nations.  Here, 
too,  experience  has  afforded  us  the  most  satisfactory 
proof  in  its  favor.  Just  as  this  constitution  was  put 
into  action  several  of  the  principal  powers  of  Europe 
had  become  much  agitated,  and  some  of  them  seri 
ously  convulsed.  Destructive  wars  ensued,  which 
have,  of  late  only,  been  terminated.  In  the  course  of 
these  conflicts,  the  United  States  received  great  injury 
from  several  of  the  parties.  It  was  their  interest  to 
stand  aloof  from  the  contest  ;  to  demand  justice  from 
the  party  committing  the  injury  ;  and  to  cultivate,  by 
a  fair  and  honourable  conduct,  the  friendship  of  all. 
War  became  at  length  inevitable,  and  the  result  has 
shewn,  that  our  government  is  equal  to  the  greatest 
of  trials,  under  the  most  unfavourable  circumstances. 
Of  the  virtue  of  the  people,  and  of  the  heroic  exploits 
of  the  army,  the  navy,  and  of  the  militia,  I  need  not 
speak. 

Such,  then,  is  the  happy  government  under  which 
we  live  ;  a  government  adequate  to  every  purpose  for 
which  the  social  compact  is  formed  ;  a  government 
elective  in  all  its  branches,  under  which  every  citizen 
may,  by  his  merit,  obtain  the  highest  trust  recognized 
by  the  constitution  ;  which  contains  within  it  no  cause 
of  discord  ;  none  to  put  at  variance  one  portion  of  the 
community  with  another  ;  a  government  which  pro 
tects  every  citizen  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  his  rights, 
and  is  able  to  protect  the  nation  against  injustice  from 
foreign  powers. 

Other  considerations  of  the  highest  importance  ad 
monish  us  to  cherish  our  union,  and  to  cling  to  the 
government  which  supports  it.  Fortunate  as  we  are 
in  our  political  institutions,  we  have  not  been  less  so 
in  other  circumstances,  on  which  our  prosperity  and 
happiness  essentially  depend.  Situated  within  the  tem 
perate  zone,  and  extending  through  many  decrees  of 
latitude  along  the  Atlantic,  the  United  States  enjoy  all 
the  varieties  of  climate,  and  every  production  incident  to 


ELECTION,    &C.  45 

that  portion  of  the  globe.  Penetrating  internally,  to 
the  great  lakes,  and  beyond  the  sources  of  the  great 
rivers  which  communicate  through  our  whole  interior, 
no  country  was  ever  happier  with  respect  to  its  do 
main.  Blessed  too  with  a  fertile  soil,  our  produce  has 
always  been  very  abundant,  leaving,  even  in  years  the 
least  favourable,  a  surplus  for  the  wants  of  our  fellow 
men  in  other  countries.  Such  is  our  peculiar  felicity, 
that  there  is  not  a  part  of  our  union  that  is  not  partic 
ularly  interested  in  preserving  it.  The  great  agricul 
tural  interest  of  the  nation  prospers  under  its  protection. 
Local  interests  are  not  less  fostered  by  it.  Our  fellow 
citizens  of  the  north,  engaged  in  navigation,  find  great 
encouragement  in  being  made  the  favoured  carriers  of 
the  vast  productions  of  the  other  portions  of  the  United 
States,  while  the  inhabitants  of  these  are  amply  recom 
pensed,  in  their  turn,  by  the  nursery  for  seamen  and 
naval  force,  thus  formed  and  reared  up  for  the  support 
of  our  common  rights.  Our  manufactures  find  a  gen 
erous  encouragement  by  the  policy  which  patronizes 
domestic  industry  ;  and  the  surplus  of  our  produce,  a 
steady  and  profitable  market  by  local  wants,  in  less  fa 
voured  parts,  at  home. 

Such,  then,  being  the  highly  favoured  condition  of 
our  country,  it  is  the  interest  of  every  citizen  to  main 
tain  it.  What  are  the  dangers  which  menace  us  ?  If 
any  exist,  they  ought  to  be  ascertained  and  guarded 
against. 

In  explaining  my  sentiments  on  this  subject,  it  may 
be  asked  ;  what  raised  us  to  the  present  happy  state  ? 
How  did  we  accomplish  the  revolution  ?  How  remedy 
the  defects  of  the  first  instrument  of  our  union,  by  in 
fusing  into  the  national  government  sufficiGnt  power  for 
national  purposes,  without  impairing  the  just  rights  of 
the  states,  or  affecting  those  of  individuals  ?  How  sus 
tain,  and  pass  with  glory  through  the  late  war  ?  The 
government  has  been  in  the  hands  of  the  people.  To 
the  people,  therefore,  and  to  the  faithful  and  able  de 
positories  of  their  trust,  is  the  credit  due.  Had  the 
people  of  the  United  States  been  educated  in  different 
principles  ;  had  they  been  less  intelligent,  less  inde- 


46  ELECTION,    &LC. 

pendent,  or  less  virtuous,  can  it  be  believed  that  we 
should  have  maintained  the  same  steady  and  consistent 
career,  or  been  blessed  with  the  same  success  ?  While 
then  the  constituent  body  retains  its  present  sound  and 
healthful  state,  every  thing  will  be  safe.  They  will 
choose  competent  and  faithful  representatives  for  every 
department.  It  is  only  when  the  people  become  igno- 
rari  and  corrupt  ;  when  they  degenerate  into  a  popu 
lace,  that  they  are  incapable  of  exercising  the  sove 
reignty.  Usurpation  is  then  an  easy  attainment,  and  a 
usurper  soon  found.  The  people  themselves  become 
the  filing  instruments  of  their  own  debasement  and 
ruin.  Let  us  then  look  to  the  great  cause,  and  en 
deavour  to  preserve  it  in  full  force.  Let  us,  by  all 
wise  and  constitutional  measures,  promote  intelligence 
among  the  people,  as  the  best  means  of  preserving  our 
liberties. 

Dangers  from  abroad  are  not  less  deserving  of  atten 
tion.  Experiencing  the  fortune  of  other  nations,  the 
United  States  may  be  again  involved  in  war,  and  it  may 
in  that  event  be  the  object  of  the  adverse  party  to  over 
set  our  government,  to  break  our  union,  and  demolish 
us  as  a  nation.  Our  distance  from  Europe,  and  the 
just,  moderate,  and  pacific  policy  of  our  government, 
may  form  some  security  against  these  dangers,  but  they 
ought  to  be  anticipated  and  guarded  against.  Many  of 
our  citizens  are  engaged  in  commerce  and  navigation, 
and  all  of  them  are  in  a  certain  degree  dependent  on 
their  prosperous  state.  Many  are  engaged  in  the  fish 
eries.  These  interests  are  exposed  to  invasion  in  the 
wars  between  other  powers,  and  we  should  disregard 
the  faithful  admonitions  of  experience  if  we  did  not 
expect  it.  We  must  support  our  rights  or  lose  our 
character,  and  with  it,  perhaps,  our  liberties.  A  peo 
ple  who  fail  to  do  it,  can  scarcely  be  said  to  hold  a 
place  among  independent  nations.  National  honor  is 
national  property  ofthe  highest  value.  The  sentiment 
in  the  mind  of  every  citizen,  is  national  strength.  It 
ought  therefore  to  be  cherished. 

To  secure  us  against  these  dangers,  our  coast  and  in 
land  frontier?  should  be  fortified,  our  army  and  navy 


ELECTION,    &C.  47 

regulated  upon  just  principles  as  to  the  force  of  each, 
be  kept  in  perfect  order,  and  our  militia  be  placed  on 
the  best  practicable  footing  ;  to  put  our  extensive  coast 
in  such  a  state' of  defence,  as  to  secure  our  cities  and 
interior  from  invasion,  will  be  attended  with  expence, 
but  the  work,  when  finished,  will  be  permanent,  and  it 
is  fair  to  presume,  that  a  single  campaign  or  invasion, 
by  a  naval  force  superior  to  our  own,  aided  by  a  few 
thousand  land  troops,  would  expose  us  to  greater  ex- 
pence,  without  taking  into  the  estimate  the  loss  of  pro 
perty,  and  distress  of  our  citizens,  than  would  be  suffi 
cient  for  this  great  work.  Our  land  and  naval  forces 
should  be  moderate,  but  adequate  to  the  necessary 
purposes.  The  former  to  garrison  and  preserve  our 
fortifications,  and  to  meet  the  first  invasions  of  a  foreign 
foe  ;  and  while  constituting  the  elements  of  a  greater 
force,  to  preserve  the  science,  as  well  as  all  the  ne 
cessary  implements  of  war,  in  a  state  to  be  brought  into 
activity  in  the  event  of  war.  The  latter  retained  with 
in  the  limits  proper  in  a  state  of  peace,  might  aid  in 
maintaining  the  neutrality  of  the  United  States  with 
dignity  in  the  wars  of  other  powers,  and  in  saving  the 
property  of  their  citizens  from  spoliation.  In  time  of 
war,  with  the  enlargement  of  which  the  great  naval  re 
sources  of  the  country  render  it  susceptible,  and  which 
should  be  duly  fostered  in  time  of  peace,  it  would  con 
tribute  essentially  both  as  an  auxiliary  of  defence,  and 
as  a  powerful  engine  of  annoyance,  to  diminish  the  ca 
lamities  of  war,  and  to  bring  the  war  to  a  speedy  and 
honourable  termination. 

But  it  should  always  be  held  prominently  in  view, 
that  the  safety  of  these  states,  and  of  every  thing  dear 
to  a  free  people,  must  depend  in  an  eminent  degree  on 
the  militia.  Invasions  may  be  made,  too  formidable  to 
be  resisted  by  any  land  and  naval  force,  which  it  would 
comport,  either  with  the  principles  of  our  government, 
or  the  circumstances  of  the  United  States  to  maintain. 
In  such  cases,  recourse  must  be  had  to  the  great  body 
of  the  people,  and  in  a  manner  to  produce  the  best  ef 
fect.  It  is  of  the  highest  importance,  therefore,  that 
they  be  so  organized  and  trained  as  to  be  prepared  for 


48  ELECTION,    &,C. 

any  emergency.  The  arrangement  should  be  such,  as 
to  put  at  the  command  of  the  government,  the  ardent 
patriotism  and  youthful  vigour  of  the  country.  If 
formed  on  equal  and  just  principles,  it  cannot  be  op 
pressive.  It  is  the  crisis  which  makes  the  pressure,  and 
riot  the  laws,  which  provide  a  remedy  for  it.  This  ar 
rangement  should  be  formed,  too,  in  time  of  peace,  to 
be  the  better  prepared  for  war.  With  such  an  organ 
ization,  of  such  a  people,  the  United  ptates  have  no 
thing  to  dread  from  foreign  invasion.  At  its  approach, 
an  overwhelming  force  of  gallant  men  might  always  be 
put  in  motion. 

Other  interests  of  high  importance  will  claim  atten 
tion,  among  which  the  improvement  of  our  country  by 
roads  and  canals,  proceeding  always  with  a  constitu 
tional  sanction,  holds  a  distinguished  place.  By  thus 
facilitating  the  intercourse  between  the  states,  we  shall 
add  much  to  the  convenience  and  comfort  of  our  fel 
low-citizens  ;  much  to  the  ornament  of  the  country ; 
and,  what  is  of  greater  importance,  we  shall  shorten 
distances,  and  by  making  each  part  more  accessible  to 
and  dependent  on  the  other,  we  shall  bind  the  union 
more  closely  together.  Nature  has  done  so  much  for 
us  by  intersecting  the  country  with  so  many  great  riv 
ers,  bays,  and  lakes,  approaching  from  distant  points,  so 
near  to  each  other,  that  the  inducement  to  complete  the 
work  seems  to  be  peculiarly  strong.  A  more  interest 
ing  spectacle  was  perhaps  never  seen  than  is  exhibited 
within  the  limits  of  the  United  States  ;  a  territory  so 
vast,  and  advantageously  situated,  containing  objects  so 
grand,  so  useful,  so  happily  connected  in  all  their  parts. 

Our  manufactures  will  likewise  require  the  system 
atic  and  fostering  care  of  the  government.  Possessing, 
as  we  do,  all  the  raw  materials,  the  fruit  of  our  own  soil 
and  industry,  we  ought  not  to  depend  in  the  degree  we 
have  done  on  supplies  from  other  countries.  While 
we  are  thus  dependent,  the  sudden  event  of  war,  un 
sought  and  unexpected,  cannot  fail  to  plunge  us  into  the 
most  serious  difficulties.  It  is  important,  too,  that  the 
capital  which  nourishes  our  manufactures  should  be 
domestic,  as  its  influence  in  that  case,  instead  of  ex- 


ELECTION,  &C.  49 

hausting,  as  it  may  do  in  foreign  hands,  would  be  felt 
advantageously  on  agricultural,  and  ever}^  other  branch 
of  industry.  .Equally  important  it  is  to  provide  at 
home  a  market  for  our  raw  materials,  as  by  extending 
the  competition,  it  will  enhance  the  price,  and  pro 
tect  the  cultivator  against  the  casualties  incident  to 
foreign  markets. 

With  the  Indian  tribes,  it  is  our  duty  to  cultivate 
friendly  relations,  and  to  act  with  kindness  and  liberal 
ity  in  all  our  transactions.  Equally  proper  it  is  to 
persevere  in  our  efforts  to  extend  to  them  the  advan 
tages  of  civilization. 

The  great  amount  of  our  revenue,  and  the  flourish 
ing  state  of  the  treasury,  are  a  full  proof  of  the  com 
petency  of  the  national  resources,  for  any  emergency, 
as  they  are,  of  the  willingness  of  our  fellow  citizens 
to  bear  the  burthens  which  the  public  necessities  re 
quire.  The  vast  amount  of  vacant  lands,  the  value  of 
which  daily  augments,  forms  an  additional  resource  of 
great  extent  and  duration.  These  resources,  besides 
accomplishing  every  other  necessary  purpose,  put  it 
completely  in  the  power  of  the  United  States,  to  dis 
charge  the  national  debt,  at  an  early  period.  Peace  is 
the  best  time  for  improvement  and  preparation  of  eve 
ry  kind  ;  it  is  in  peace  that  our  commerce  flourishes 
most ;  that  taxes  are  most  easily  paid,  and  that  the  re 
venue  is  most  productive. 

The  executive  is  charged  officially,  in  the  depart 
ments  under  it,  with  the  disbursement  of  the  public 
money,  and  is  responsible  for  the  faithful  application 
of  it  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  raised.  The  legis 
lature  is  the  watchful  guardian  over  the  public  purse. 
It  is  its  duty  to  see  that  the  disbursement  has  been  hon 
estly  made.  To  meet  the  requisite  responsibility,  ev 
ery  facility  should  be  afforded  to  the  executive  to  en 
able  it  to  bring  the  public  agents,  entrusted  with  the 
public  money,  strictly  and  promptly  to  account.  No 
thing  should  be  presumed  against  them.  But  if,  with 
the  requisite  facilities,  the  public  money  is  suffered  to 
lie,  long  and  uselessly,  in  their  hands,  they  will  not  be 
the  only  defaulters,  nor  will  the  demoralizing  effect  be 
E 


50  ELECTION,  &C. 

confined  to  them. — It  will  evince  a  relaxation,  and  want 
of  tone  in  the  administration,  which  will  be  felt  by  the 
whole  community.  I  shall  do  all  I  can,  to  secure  econ 
omy  and  fidelity  in  this  important  branch  of  the  admin 
istration,  and  I  doubt  not,  that  the  Legislature  will  per 
form  its  duty  with  equal  zeal.  A  thorough  examina 
tion  should  be  regularly  made,  and  I  will  promote  it. 

It  is  particularly  gratifying  to  me,  to  enter  on  the 
discharge  of  these  duties,  at  a  time  when  the  United 
States  are  blessed  with  peace.  It  is  a  state  most  con 
sistent  with  their  prosperity  and  happiness.  It  will  be 
my  sincere  desire  to  preserve  it,  so  fac  as  depends  on 
the  Executive,  on  just  principles,  with  all  nations, 
claiming  nothing  unreasonable,  of  any,  and  rendering 
to  each  what  is  its  due. 

Equally  gratifying  is  it,  to  witness  the  increased  har 
mony  of  opinion,  which  pervades  our  Union.  Dis 
cord  does  not  belong  to  our  system.  Union  is  recom 
mended,  as  well  by  the  free  and  benign  principles  of 
our  government,  extending  its  blessings  to  every  indi 
vidual,  as  by  the  other  eminent  advantages  attending  it. 
The  American  people  have  encountered  together  great 
dangers,  and  sustained  severe  trials  with  success. — 
They  consitute  one  great  family,  with  a  common  in 
terest.  Experience  has  enlightened  us,  on  some  ques 
tions  of  essential  importance  to  the  country.  The 
progress  has  been  slow,  dictated  by  a  just  reflection, 
and  a  faithful  regard  to  every  interest  connected  with 
it.  To  promote  this  harmony,  in  accord  with  the 
principles  of  our  republican  government,  and  in  a 
manner  to  give  them  the  most  complete  effect,  and  to 
advance  in  all  other  respects  the  best  interests  of  our 
Union,  will  be  the  object  of  my  constant  and  zealous 
exertions. 

Never  did  a  government  commence  under  auspices 
so  favourable,  nor  ever  was  success  so  complete.  If 
we  look  to  the  history  of  other  nations,  ancient  or 
modern,  we  find  no  example  of  a  growth  so  rapid,  so 
gigantic  ;  of  a  people  so  prosperous  and  happy.  In 
contemplating  what  we  have  still  to  perform,  the  heart 
of  every  citizen  must  expand  with  joy,  when  he  re 
flects  how  near  our  government  has  approached  to 


ELECTION,    &C.  51 

perfection  ;  that,  in  respect  to  it,  we  have  no  essential 
improvement  to  make  ;  that  the  great  object  is,  to  pre 
serve  it  in  the- essential  principles  and  features  which 
characterize  it ;  and  that  is  to  be  done,  by  preserving 
the  virtue  and  enlightening  the  minds  of  the  people  ; 
and  as  a  security  against  foreign  dangers,  to  adopt  such 
arrangements  as  are  indispensable  to  the  support  of  our 
Independence,  our  Rights,  and  Liberties.  If  we  per 
severe  in  the  career  in  which  we  have  advanced  so 
far,  and  in  the  path  already  traced,  we  cannot  fail,  un 
der  the  favour  of  a,  gracious  providence,  to  attain  the 
high  destiny  which  seems  to  await  us. 

In  the  administrations  of  the  illustrious  men  who 
have  preceded  me  in  this  high  station,  with  some  of 
whom  I  have  been  connected  by  the  closest  ties  from 
early  life,  examples  are  presented,  which  will  always 
be  found  highly  instructive  and  useful  to  their  succes 
sors.  From  these  I  shall  endeavour  to  derive  all  the 
advantages  which  they  may  afford.  Of  my  immediate 
predecessor,  under  whom  so  important  a  portion  of 
this  great  and  successful  experiment  has  been  made, 
I  shall  be  pardoned  for  expressing  my  earnest  wishes, 
that  he  may  long  enjoy,  in  his  retirement,  the  affections 
of  a  grateful  country,  the  best  reward  of  exalted  tal 
ents,  and  the  most  faithful  and  meritorious  services. 
Relying  on  the  aid  to  be  derived  from  the  other  de 
partments  of  the  government,  I  enter  on  the  trust  to 
which  I  have  been  called  by  the  suffrages  of  my  fellow- 
citizens,  with  my  fervent  prayers  to  the  Almighty, 
that  He  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  continue  to  us  that 
protection  which  he  has  already  so  conspicuously  dis 
played  in  our  favour. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

Having  concluded  his  address,  the  oath  of  office  was 
administered  to  him  by  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  Uni 
ted  States.  The  oath  was  announced  by  a  single  gun, 
and  followed  by  salutes  from  the  Navy  Yard  and  the 
battery  ;  from  Fort  Warburton,  and  from  several  pieces 
of  artillery  on  the  ground. 

The  President  was  received  on  his  arrival,  with  mi- 


52  ELECTION,    &C. 

litary  honours,  by  the  Marine  Corps,  by  the  George 
town  Riflemen,  a  company  of  artillery  and  two  com 
panies  of  infantry  from  Alexandria  ;  and  on  his  return 
was  saluted  in  like  manner. 

It  is  impossible  to  compute  with  any  thing  like  ac 
curacy  the  number  of  carriages,  horses,  and  persons 
present.  Such  a  concourse  was  never  before  seen  in 
Washington  ;  the  number  of  persons  present  being  es 
timated  from  five  to  eight  thousand.  The  mildness  and 
radiance  of  the  day  cast  a  brilliant  hue  on  the  com 
plexion  of  the  whole  ceremony  ;  and  it  is  satisfactory 
to  say,  that  we  heard  of  no  accident  during  the  day, 
notwithstanding  the  magnitude  of  the  assemblage. 

The  President  and  his  Lady,  after  his  return,  re 
ceived  at  their  dwelling  the  visits  of  their  friends,  of 
the  Heads  of  Departments,  most  of  the  Senators  and 
Representatives,  of  all  the  Foreign  Ministers  at  the 
seat  of  government,  of  strangers  and  citizens,  who  also 
generally  paid  the  tribute  of  their  unabated  respect  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Madison. 

The  evening  concluded  with  a  splendid  Ball  at  Da 
vis'  Hotel  ;  at  which  were  present  the  President  and 
Ex-President  and  their  Ladies,  the  Heads  of  Depart 
ments,  Foreign  Ministers,  and  an  immense  throng  of 
strangers  and  citizens. 

Thus  has  commenced  the  administration  of  James 
Monroe.  In  the  utmost  warmth  of  our  good  wishes, 
we  cannot  wish  him  a  more  honourable,  a  more  grate 
ful  termination  of  his  official  life,  than  that  which  has 
crowned  the  administration  of  James  Madison. 

The  principles  developed  in  his  Inaugural  Speech, 
are  such  as,  adhered  to,  will  triumphantly  bear  him 
through.  They  are  those  of  the  honest  Republican, 


ELECTION,  &C,  53 

ttiicl  at  the  same  time  the  practical  statesman.  They 
afford  us  the  highest  presage  of  an  upright  and  unso 
phisticated  administration  of  the  public  affairs,  on  the 
solid  principles  of  the  constitution,  as  regulated  by  rea 
son,  and  tempered  by  the  wisdom  of  experience." 

I  cannot  dismiss  this  subject  without  adding  the  fol 
lowing  article  from  a  Dublin  paper.  It  evinces  the 
acknowledged  eloquence  of  Irishmen,  and  shows  that 
while  they  are  groaning  in  the  agony  of  bondage  them 
selves,  they  can  justly  appreciate  the  unparalleled 
blessings  enjoyed  by  Americans. 

"  The  American  papers  furnish  us  with  the  inaugu 
ral  speech  of  the  next  President,  Mr.  Monroe.  This 
is  a  document  of  very  considerable  interest.  It  is  im 
possible  to  read  it  without  admiring  the  wisdom  and  ta 
lents  of  the  speaker.  The  President  boasts,  that  the 
United  States  is  the  happiest  nation  that  now  exists,  or 
ever  did  exist  in  the  world.  We  believe  it  ;  and  if  it 
be  the  fact,  what  a  high  place  among  the  benefactors  of 
mankind,  will  the  future  historian  bestow  upon  the  il 
lustrious  predecessors  of  James  Monroe,  the  Washing- 
tons,  the  Jeffersons,  and  the  Madisons., 

"  Fortunate  America  !  Proceed  in  your  glorious  ca 
reer.  From  your  progress  the  nations  of  the  earth 
will  derive  the  most  instructive  lesson  that  has  ever 
yet  been  held  out  to  them.  Guided  by  counsels  of 
wisdom,  firmness,  and  moderation,  America  will  be  in 
reality  "  the  great  nation  ;"  whose  existence  will  not 
depend  on  the  event  of  a  single  campaign  in  the  war  ; 
the  bulk  of  whose  people  will  not  in  peace  be  com 
posed  of  a  wretched,  half  fed,  uneducated,  depraved 
and  degraded  populace. 

E2 


54  ELECTION,  &C, 

"  Who  does  not  see  in  the  distance,  the  i'ast  ap 
proaching  mightiness  of  this  youthful  empire,  but  now 
emerging  from  infancy  ;  the  creation  of  our  own  day. 
the  growth  of  a  few  years  !" 

The  following  extempore  address  was  made  to  a 
small  party,  upon  March  4th,  1817. 

Fellow  Citizens — This  day  completes  twenty  eight 
years  since  our  republican  government  has  been  in 
operation.  Eight  of  those  years  the  political  Saviour 
of  his  country,  the  father  of  republicans,  George  Wash 
ington,  wielded  the  sceptre  of  political  power.  "  Mod 
ern  Degeneracy ,"  could  not  reach  this  immaculate  re 
publican.  For  four  years  we  were  under  the  admin 
istration  of  John  Adams,  a  statesman  in  theory,  and  now 
a  practical  republican.  After  him,  arose  the  splendid 
sun  of  republicanism — Thomas  Jefferson — his  friends 
were  the  friends  of  benevolence  ;  in  him,  they  recog 
nized  the  man  who  was  willing  to  devote  his  great 
mind,  to  the  service  of  his  great  country.  His  success 
or,  James  Madison,  united  in  himself  the  cool,  reflect 
ing  philosopher,  with  the  honest  and  patriotic  states 
man.  This  day  places  JAMES  MONROE  in  the  chair  of 
State — he  fills  the  highest  station  allotted  to  man — how 
contemptible  appear  the  thrones  of  legitimate  sove 
reigns,  filled  by  kings  who  encumber  them  by  the  ac 
cident  of  birth,  when  compared  with  the  Presidential 
chair  of  nineteen  republican  states,  occupied  by  a  pa 
triot  placed  thereon,  by  the  intelligent  voice  of  ten  mil 
lions  of  freemen.  On  this  occasion  let  me  propose  a  toast: 

JAMES  MONROE— As  he  is  this  day  placed  upon 
the  highest  station  on  earth,  may  his  administration 
evince  to  the  world  that  he  is  able  to  fill  it. 


TOUR,  &c. 


TO  behold  the  Supreme  Magistrate  of  a  great  and 
growing  people,  leaving  the  seat  of  government,  where 
he  might  have  enjoyed  repose,  the  society  and  inter 
course  of  the  highest  officers  of  his  Cabinet,  and  the 
most  eminent  statesmen  of  his  country  ;  where  he 
might  have  been  favoured  with  the  presence  of  foreign 
ministers,  representing  the  leading  nations  of  the  world  ; 
to  see  him  leaving  these  enjoyments,  to  endure  the  fa 
tigues,  and,  at  times,  the  privations  of  exploring  the 
country  over  which  he  is  called  to  preside,  is  a  scene 
which  is  seldom  witnessed,  and  cannot  be  viewed  but 
with  the  liveliest  interest.  Most  of  the  potentates  who 
encumber  thrones  by  the  accident  of  princely  birth,  or 
the  aid  of  abused  power,  moulder  away  life  in  gorgeous 
palaces,  and  enervate  their  minds  by  unceasing  volup 
tuousness.  They  live  in  ignorance  of  their  subjects, 
of  their  wants,  and  of  their  injuries  ;  and  are  so  doubt 
ful  of  their  fidelity,  that  fear  conceals  them  from  their 
view.  Scarcely  dare  they  travel  the  capitals  where 
they  reside,  without  an  army  in  miniature  to  protect 
them  from  assaults  from  their  own  subjects.  Not  so 
with  the  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AME 
RICA.  When  the  dictates  of  duty,  or  the  calls  of  incli 
nation  induces  him  to  explore  any  portion  of  the  im 
mense  country  over  which  he  is  appointed  to  preside, 


56  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

so  far  from  apprehending  danger  from  his  fellow-citi 
zens,  he  is  sure  to  be  welcomed  by  them  with  the  joy 
ous  acclamations  of  attachment.  A  splendid  equipage 
and  a  numerous  retinue  will  attract  the  observation  of 
the  world.  Like  the  passing  meteor,  it  will  excite  the 
admiration  of  some,  the  wonder  of  others,  and  the  at 
tention  of  all.  The  traveller  is  forgotten  in  the  impos 
ing  splendour  that  surrounds  him. 

When  JAMES  MONROE  projected  a  TOUR  through  the 
Northern  and  Eastern  States,  he  did  not  wish  to  make 
it  an  excursion  of  splendid  pleasure  and  evanescent 
amusement,  but  of  business  and  observation  ;  and 
chose  rather  to  see  than  to  be  seen.  He  had  been  elect 
ed  and  inaugurated  as  President  of  the  United  States. 
He  must  have  been  deeply  impressed  with  the  "  mag 
nitude  of  the  wider  taking."  He  must  have  known  that 
it  was  an  arduous  task  to  fill  the  chair  that  had  been 
previously  occupied  by  WASHINGTON,  ADAMS,  JEFFER 
SON,  and  MADISON.  He  knew  he  had  a  duty  of  no  trif 
ling  nature  to  perform  ;  that  he  was  called  to  preside 
over  an  intelligent  people,  enjoying  the  only  well  con 
stituted  Republic  upon  earth  ;  that  this  people  were 
ever  jealous  of  their  political  rights,  and  not  always 
grateful  to  their  best  benefactors.  He  knew,  full  well, 
that  he  was  in  a  station  different  from  that  of  a  despotic 
prince  whose  -will  is  law ;  and  that  he  was  accountable 
for  every  act  of  his  Presidential  power  to  the  people 
who  authorised  him  to  exercise  it. 

The  man  who  seeks  his  own  tranquillity  and  emolu 
ment,  in  preference  to  the  happiness  and  wealth  of 
his  country,  would  certainly  have  avoided  a  station 
where  the  utmost  rectitude  is  rewarded  but  by  "faint 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  57 

praise"  and  where  the  least  deviation  from  popular 
opinion  is  condemned  by  "  curses,  not  only  deep  but 
loud  ;"  where' miscarriage  is  certain  to  meet  with  con 
demnation,  and  the  most  punctilious  regard  to  duty  can 
scarcely  hope  to  be  rewarded  with  approbation.  Our 
present  Chief  Magistrate  needed  not  to  fill  the  exalted 
station  which  he  now  adorns,  to  add  to  the  reputation 
which  he  had  previously  acquired  ;  a  reputation  ac 
quired,  not  by  a  single  fortunate  act,  but  by  a  continu 
ed  series  of  important  duties.  His  fellow-citizens  had 
seen  him,  in  civil  life,  rising  from  a  common  magis 
trate,  to  the  high  office  of  Secretary  of  State ;  in  a  mi 
litary  life,  from  a  subaltern  in  the  army,  to  the  office  of 
Secretary  at  War.  Nor  were  his  duties  confined  to  the 
home  department.  When  diplomatic  science  became 
necessary  to  settle  the  jarring  interests  between  the 
American  Republic  and  the  court  of  France,  they  had 
traced  him  there  in  the  capacity  of  an  Ambassador. 
When  his  native  country,  the  second  in  the  world  in 
commercial  consequence,  was  contending  with  the  first 
upon  commercial  principles,  they  followed  him  to  the 
court  of  Saint  James  in  the  same  capacity.  When 
MADISON  was  about  to  retire  from  the  Presidential 
chair,  the  anxious  eyes  of  ten  millions  of  Freemen 
were  cast  upon  him  as  the  practical,  as  well  as  the  the 
oretical  statesman.  By  an  unanimity  almost  without  a 
parallel,  he  was  called  to  the  exalted  station  of  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States.  Well  might  he  have  wished 
to  retire  to  the  peaceful  and  tranquil  shades  of  private 
life,  after  a  long  course  of  labour  devoted  to  the  public 
service  ;  but  he  did  not  shrink  from  the  high  responsi 
bility  of  this  important  station  when  called  to  fill  it. 


58  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

As  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  could  be  made 
at  the  seat  of  government,  he  contemplated  a  Tour 
through  an  important  section  of  the  union  ;  a  section 
which,  during  the  revolutionary  struggle,  achieved 
deeds  of  glory  unrivalled  in  Grecian  or  Roman  history, 
and  which,  during  the  second  war  for  American  Inde 
pendence,  was  assailed  in  almost  every  point  by  a  foe, 
who  considers  America  as  her  most  dangerous  rival. 

The  Northern  and  Eastern  States,  being  exposed  to 
the  incursions  of  a  British  Army  by  land,  and  by  a  for 
eign  Fleet  from  the  ocean,  the  President  deemed  it  ex 
pedient  and  necessary  to  have  an  occularview  of  a  sec 
tion  of  the  Union  thus  exposed.  With  the  eye  of  a 
Scholar.,  he  could  view  it  in  the  progress  that  had  been 
made  in  the  arts  and  sciences — as  a  Statesman,  he  could 
estimate  its  consequences  in  a  political  point  of  view  ; 
and,  as  a  Soldier,  he  could  devise  the  best  means  for 
its  defence  against  an  enenvy.  Having  these  important 
objects  in  view,  he  thought  little  of  the  gratification  of 
fancy  ;  and  chose  rather,  in  a  plain  unostentatious  man 
ner  to  examine  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  advan 
cing  its  real  interest,  than,  with  magnificent  equipage 
to  excite  the  unmeaning  admiration  of  its  inhabitants. 
He  selected  for  his  companion  in  his  travels  the  Chief 
Engineer  of  the  United  States,  Gen.  JOSEPH  G.  SWIFT. 
It  had  been  announced  in  the  leading  prints  of  the  un 
ion,  that  the  President  had  resolved  to  travel  in  the 
most  private  manner,  that  he  might  the  better  accom 
plish  the  object  of  his  Tour.  Having  long  been  a  wit 
ness  of  the  splendour  and  magnificence  of  European 
courts  ;  having  noticed  a  disposition  in  his  countrymen 
to  imitate  the  gorgeous  and  splendid  parade  of  Europe- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  59 

an  nobility,  and  knowing  that  a  devotion  to  it  was  to 
tally  incompatible  with  the  discharge  of  important  pub 
lic  duties,  he  determined  to  avoid  it.  However  gratify 
ing  it  may  be  to  a  chief  magistrate  who  owes  his  exal 
tation  to  the  suffrages  of  an  intelligent  people,  to  be  re 
ceived  by  that  people  in  a  cordial  manner,  and  to  hear 
from  them  the  unequivocal  expressions  of  their  appro 
bation,  Mr.  MONROE  was  sensible  that  the  public  man 
ifestation  of  it  in  the  numerous  large  towns  through 
which  his  duty  led  him  to  pass  would  tend  to  divert  his 
attention  from  the  great  objects  of  his  tour.  He  wish 
ed  to  avoid  it,  but  it  was  a  wish  that  could  not  be  gra 
tified.  His  fellow  citizens,  in  almost  every  section  of 
the  country,  had  manifested  their  admiration  for  the 
heroes  of  the  ARMY  and  NAVY.  Their  presence  had 
called  forth  the  highest  manifestation  of  their  feelings, 
by  public  celebrations,  public  feasts,  and  the  bestowment 
of  tokens  of  approbation.  The  swords  that  are  worn 
by  their  sides,  or  that  are  deposited  with  their  ar 
chives,  have  stamped  upon  them  evidence  of  the  gra 
titude  of  their  countrymen.  The  services  of  plate  that 
ornament  their  boards,  have  been  presented  as  rewards 
for  their  valour.  Americans  well  know  that  the  De 
partment  of  State  and  the  Department  of  War,  were  both 
managed  by  JAMES  MONROE,  during  the  most  splendid 
campaign  recorded  in  history.  When  he  became  Pres 
ident,  and  was  about  to  explore  an  important  section  of 
his  native  country,  his  fellow  citizens  could  not  be  re 
strained  from  shewing  him  some  evidence  of  their  at 
tachment,  His  elevated  rank  precluded  them  from  be 
stowing  any  token  of  their  respect  but  that  of  hearts 
glowing  with  patriotic  fervour,  and  pouring  forth  its 
gratitude  to  their  political  father. 


60  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

When  about  to  leave  the  seat  of  government,  hal 
lowed  by  the  name  of  the  political  saviour  of  America, 
he  beheld  the  CITY  OF  WASHINGTON  risinginto  conse 
quence.  He  had  explored  its  site  when  a  wilderness  ; 
he  then  saw  it  adorned  with  the  finest  specimens  of 
modern  architecture.  He  beheld  the  Capitol,  the 
pride  of  his  countrymen,  and  the  admiration  of  the 
world,  rising,  like  the  phoenix,  out  of  the  ashes  of  Van 
dal  warfare,  with  redoubled  splendour.  He  beheld  the 
majestic  Potomack,  which  had  recently  been  visited  by 
a  squadron  of  a  hostile  and  barbarous  foe,  now  whiten 
ed  by  American  canvas.  He  might  contemplate  this 
as  the  permanent  seat  of  government  of  the  rising  Re 
public  of  America.  Local  interest  and  sectional  par 
tiality,  have  sometimes  induced  a  wish  that  the  gov 
ernment  might  be  removed  from  the  place  which 
WASHINGTON  selected  as  the  most  eligible  one  for  its 
permanent  establishment.  The  partial  destruction  of 
it  during  the  last  war,  was  used  as  an  argument  in  favor 
of  a  removal.  It  may  be  answered  with  the  remark, 
that,  to  remove  the  seat  of  government  from  the  place 
where  the  nation,  by  her  beloved  Chief  and  her  rep 
resentatives  had  established  it,  merely  because  an  ene 
my,  in  open  violation  of  the  established  rules  of  civilized 
warfare,  had  partially  demolished  it,  would  be  gratify 
ing  the  wishes  of  an  insolent  foe,  and  surrendering  the 
national  dignity. 

Since  this  part  of  the  work  was  written,  the  Presi 
dent  has  presented  to  Congress  his  first  Message,  from 
which,  with  the  highest  pleasure,  1  extract  the  follow 
ing  remarks  : 

"  Most  nations  have  taken  an  interest  and  a  pride 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  61 

in  the  improvement  and  ornament  of  their  metropolis, 
and  none  were  more  conspicuous  in  that  respect  than 
the  ancient  Republics.  The  policy  which  dictated  the 
establishment  of  a  permanent  residence  for  the  nation 
al  government,  and  the  spirit  in  which  it  was  commen 
ced  and  has  been  prosecuted,  show  that  such  im 
provement  was  thought  worthy  the  attention  of  this  na 
tion.  Its  central  position  between  the  northern  and 
southern  extremes  of  our  union,  and  its  approach  to 
the  west,  at  the  head  of  a  navigable  river,  which  inter 
locks  with  the  western  waters,  prove  the  wisdom  of 
the  councils  which  established  it." 

Washington  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Poto- 
mack  and  the  Eastern  Branch.  The  plan  of  it  com 
bines  convenience,  regularity,  elegance  of  prospect, 
and  a  free  circulation  of  air.  It  was  established  as  the 
seat  of  government  at  the  commencement  of  the  pre 
sent  century.  In  1810,  it  contained  nearly  9000  in 
habitants,  and  they  have  probably  doubled  since  that  pe 
riod. 

The  name  of  this  city  calls  up  the  most  endearing  re 
collections  ;  its  situation  embraces  all  the  advantages 
and  charms  which  nature  can  impart  to  an  interior  city  ; 
and  may  it  rise  with  the  rising  glory  of  the  American 
Republic. 

The  President,  accompanied  by  Gen.  SWIFT  and  Mr. 
MASON,  his  then  private  secretary,  commenced  his 
Tour  from  this  city  upon  the  31st  day  of  May,  1817. 
He  arrived  in  Baltimore  upon  the  same  day,  being  up 
on  the  sabbath.  This  excited  the  indignation  and  call 
ed  forth  the  censure  of  many  who  are  ready  to  form  an 

opinion  of  a  man's  whole  character  from  an  accidental 
F 


$2  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.. 

circumstance.  No  doubt  but  th.it  the  due  observation  of 
the  sabbath  is  one  of  the  means  of  supporting  the  good 
cause  of  Christianity.  But  persons  in  private  stations,  who 
can  command  times  and  seasons  for  their  own  convenience, 
and  for  the  discharge  of  civil  and  religious  duties,  know 
little  of  the  constant  pressure  of  public  office  ;  they  know 
little  of  the  character  of  the  President,  who  think  he 
would  wantonly  outrage  the  reasonable  scruples  of  piety, 
or  unnecessarily  depart  from  a  usage  established  upon 
correct  principles.  His  arrival  in  this  place  upon  the 
sabbath,  depended  upon  circumstances  beyond  his  pow 
er  to  control.  Let  his  accusers  blush,  when  they  are 
told  that  upon  this  very  day  he  attended  church.  His 
approach  to  the  place  called  forth  every  demonstration 
of  respect  and  attachment  from  its  citizens.  It  was  the 
first  place  of  consequence  that  he  reached  in  his  Tour, 
and  the  inhabitants  set  an  honourable  example  to  all 
the  rest  of  the  large  towns  through  which  he  might 
pass.  It  was  impossible  for  the  President  to  be  an  un 
moved  spectator  of  the  voluntary  civility  of  the  people, 
nor  could  he  hear  the  spontaneous  acclamations  of  the 
multitude,  without  reciprocating  this  impressive  evi 
dence  of  their  esteem.  Mere  mechanical  applause, 
and  that  which  is  extorted  from  a  degraded  populace, 
can  afford  but  little  satisfaction  to  the  one  who  becomes 
the  object  of  it ;  but,  for  the  political  father  of  a  great, 
a  growing,  and  an  intelligent  people,  freemen  by  birth, 
and  resolved  to  be  free,  to  witness  such  striking  proofs 
of  their  fidelity  and  admiration,  must  have  made  a  deep, 
a  lasting  impression  upon  his  mind.  He  must  be  some 
thing  more  or  less  than  man,  who  would  view  such  a 
scene  with  apathy  and  indifference.  A  Janizary  of 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  63 

Turkey  may  offer  up  hosannahs  to  the  Sultan,  until  the 
javelin  the  sultan  wields  ends  his  life  and  his  plaudits 
at  a  stroke*;  an  eastern  despot  may  be  adored  by  hie 
slaves  who  mingle  groans  of  distress  with  the  accents 
of  praise  ;  European  princes  may  be  followed  by  a  fam 
ishing  peasantry,  whose  huzzas  are  feeble  from  want 
of  food  ;  but  it  is  the  happiness  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  be  thronged  by  an  assemblage  of  happy 
freemen,  acknowledging  their  gratitude  to  the  only  "  le 
gitimate"  ruler  of  a  great  nation — legitimate,  because  he 
derives  his  power  from  the  voice  of  the  people  he  gov 
erns.  It  is  the  happiness  of  the  people  of  America, 
when  they  behold  their  Chief  Magistrate  come  amongst 
them,  to  see  a  ruler  who  does  not  wield  the  rod  of  des 
potic  power,  but  the  sceptre  of  republican  authority. 

The  following  is  the  manner  of  his  reception  at  Bal 
timore  ;  the  address  there  received,  and  the  answer 
returned. — This  took  place  upon  the  first  day  of  June, 
1817. 

"  On  his  arrival,  several  of  the  aged  and  most  res 
pectable  citizens  attended  the  President,  and  welcom 
ed  his  appearance  in  Baltimore.  In  the  afternoon  he 
attended  divine  service  at  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ingiis'  church  ; 
and  early  the  next  morning,  before  breakfast,  accom 
panied  by  Generals  Smith,  Strieker,  Winder,  Swift,  and 
several  other  military  gentlemen,  visited  the  ground 
where  general  Ross  fell,  and  the  breast- works  that 
were  thrown  up  for  the  defence  of  Baltimore  during 
the  late  war. 

The  mayor,  and  a  committee  from  the  city  council, 
waited  on  the  President,  to  whom  they  presented  an 
address. 

*  See  History  of  Turkey. 


u'4  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

Agreeable  to  previous  arrangements,  the  third  bri 
gade,  under  the  command  of  General  Sterret,  assem 
bled  at  Whetstone  Point,  and  at  twelve  o'clock  was  re 
viewed  by  the  President.  He  proceeded  from  his 
lodgings,  under  an  escort,  accompanied  by  a  large  reti 
nue  of  military  officers.  After  a  review  of  the  troops, 
the  President  proceeded  to  the  examination  of  Fort 
M'Henry,  which  so  gloriously  withstood  the  bombard 
ment  of  the  British  naval  force  for  twenty-four  hours. 
The  recollection  of  this  event,  with  other  circumstan 
ces  connected  with  the  unsuccessful  essays  of  our  late 
enemy  to  gain  possession  of  this  city,  gave  birth  to  the 
most  grateful  and  animating  reflections. 

In  his  deportment,  the  president  is  plain,  dignified 
and  truly  republican;  presenting  an  example  of  that 
general  demeanour,  which  is  peculiarly  the  delight  of 
the  citizens  of  Baltimore." 

ADDRESS 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

gIR — We,  the  mayor  and  city  council  of  Baltimore, 
embrace  with  great  pleasure  this  opportunity  of  per 
sonally  congratulating  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  union 
on  his  arrival  in  this  place. 

Your  determination,  in  the  commencement  of  your 
administration,  to  visit  several  of  the  most  important 
places  in  the  union,  is  auspicious  of  happy  consequen 
ces  ;  not  satisfied  with  previous  knowledge,  or  second 
hand  information,  you  are  anxious  that  on  your  part, 
nothing  shall  be  wanting  to  promote  the  common 
wealth. 

That  a  city  which  bore  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  the 
national  defence,  should  first  be  honoured  with  the 
presence  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  union,  is  as 
flattering  as  it  is  natural :  and  we  sincerely  hope  that 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  65 

your  observation  of  our  position  and  means  of  defence, 
may  enable  us  before  another  war,  to  bid  defiance  to 
any  enemy.  . 

When,  sir,  we  review  your  long  tried,  faithful  and 
able  services  ;  when  we  consider  the  increasing  har 
mony  and  concord  of  the  United  States,  when  almost 
universal  peace  reigns  among  the  nations,  we  augur 
great  and  lasting  happiness  to  the  United  States,  in 
giving  full  scope  to  the  developement  of  her  faculties 
in  the  arts  and  sciences,  in  agriculture,  manufactures 
and  commerce  ;  and  in  the  permanent  exhibition  of  the 
advantages  of  a  form  of  civil  and  political  government, 
superior  to  any  that  has  hitherto  existed. 

To  our  fellow  citizens,  it  is  a  most  interesting  specta 
cle,  to  see  the  chief  magistrate  of  this  great  and  pow 
erful  nation,  making  an  official  Tour  through  their  coun 
try  in  the  style  of  a  private  citizen,  guarded  only  by 
the  respect  paid  to  the  high  station  he  occupies,  and 
the  affections  of  a  virtuous  people. 

We,  Sir,  wish  you,  in  the  sincerity  of  our  hearts,  a 
pleasant  Tour  through  the  states,  a  happy  return  to 
Washington,  a  reputation  and  satisfaction  in  your  pre 
sidency  equal  to  any  of  your  predecessors  ;  and  finally, 
the  reward  of  a  well  spent  life  in  an  eternal  world. 

We  are  Sir,  with  sentiments  of  very  great  respect, 
your  most  obedient  servants. 

GEORGE  STILES, 
Mayor  of  the  city  of  Baltimore. 

TO  THE  MAYOR  AND  CITY  COUNCIL  OF  BAL 
TIMORE. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS — The  sentiments  which  you  have 
communicated,  have  afforded  me  very  great  satisfaction. 
They  are  just,  as  to  the  objects  adverted  to,  and  tome 
they  are  generous  and  kind. 

It  was  impossible  for  me  to  approach  Baltimore, 
without  recollecting,  with  deep  interest,  the  gallant 
conduct  of  her  citizens  in  the  late  war,  and  the  happy 
result  attending  their  exertions.  The  glorious  victory 
which  was  achieved  here,  and  in  which  her  citizens 
bore  so  distinguished  a  part,  at  a  very  important  epoch, 
F  2 


66  PRESIDENT^    tOUE. 

not  only  protected  this  patriotic  city,  but  shed  iusin? 
on  the  American  name. 

Experience  has  shewn  our  dangers,  and  admonishes 
us  as  to  the  means  of  averting  them.  Congress  has 
appropriated  large  sums  of  money  for  the  fortification 
of  our  coast,  and  inland  frontier,  and  for  the  establish 
ment  of  naval  dock  yards,  and  building  a  navy.  It  is 
proper  that  these  works  should  be  executed  with  judg 
ment,  fidelity,  and  economy  ;  much  depends,  in  the 
execution,  on  the  executive,  to  whom  extensive  power 
is  given,  as  to  the  general  arrangement  ;  and  to  whom 
the  superintendance  exclusively  belongs.  You  do  me 
justice  in  believing,  that  it  is  to  enable  me  to  discharge 
these  duties,  with  the  best  advantage  to  my  country, 
that  I  have  undertaken  this  tour. 

From  the  increased  harmony  of  public  opinion, 
founded  on  the  successful  career  of  a  government, 
which  has  never  been  equalled,  and  which  promises, 
by  a  future  developement  of  its  faculties,  to  augment, 
in  an  eminent  degree,  the  blessings  of  this  favoured 
people.  I  unite  with  you  in  all  the  anticipations  which 
you  have  so  justly  suggested. 

In  performing  services,  honestly  and  zealously  in 
tended  for  the  benefit  of  my  fellow-citizens,  I  shall  ne 
ver  entertain  a  doubt  of  their  generous  and  firm  sup 
port.  Incapable  of  any  feelings  distinct  from  those  of 
a  citizen,  I  can  assume  no  style,  in  regard  to  them, 
different  from  that  character  ;  and  it  is  a  source  of  pe 
culiar  delight  to  me  to  know,  that  white  the  chief  ma 
gistrate  of  the  United  States  acts  fully  up  to  this  prin 
ciple,  he  will  require  no  other  guard  than  what  may 
be  derived  from  their  confidence  and  aftection. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

Baltimore,  June  2,   1817. 

"  After  this  interchange  of  sentiments  and  feelings, 
the  Mayor,  in  his  own,  and  in  behalf  of  the  corpora 
tion,  cordially  invited  the  President  to  a  public  dinner, 
which  he  declined,  on  the  ground  that  it  would  not  be 
consistent  with  his  previous  arrangements  for  him  to 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  67 

accept  of  this  public  manifestation  of  their  regard. — 
The  President,  in  the  most  feeling  manner,  expressed 
the  lively  sense  he  entertained  of  the  civility  and  at 
tention  of  his  fellow-citizens,  but  was  compelled,  from 
motives  of  public  concern,  to  forego  the  acceptance  of 
their  invitation." 

The  city  of  Baltimore,  the  capital  of  the  state  of 
Maryland,  is  situated  upon  the  Patapsco  river,  about 
fourteen  miles  from  its  junction  with  the  Chesapeake 
Bay.  It  has  been  long  ranked  as  the  fourth  commer 
cial  city  in  the  union,  T  is  built  upon  a  basin,  which 
forms  a  safe  and  commodious  harbour.  It  is  divided  by 
a  creek  called  Jones'1  Falls,  into  two  parts,  over  which 
a  number  of  bridges  are  erected  to  facilitate  commu 
nication  between  the  two  sections  of  the  city.  The 
public  buildings  in  this  place,  whether  erected  as  hous 
es  of  legislative  or  judicial  sessions  ;  public  worship  ; 
the  education  of  youth,  or  banking,  commercial,  and 
manufacturing  concerns,  certainly  evince  the  taste  and 
the  wealth  of  the  place.  Its  population  in  1810,  was 
47,000.  It  is  well  defended  by  fort  M'Henry.  The 
storm  and  the  flood  of  1817,  left  a  gloomy  track  of 
desolation  through  this  flourishing  and  growing  city ; 
bvit  the  known  enterprize  of  its  citizens  will  shortly 
restore  the  place  from  the  effects  of  a  calamity  which 
no  sagacity  could  foresee  ;  which  no  prudence  could 
prevent. 

The  defence  of  this  place,  on  September  14,  1814, 
shews  that  retribution  sometimes  treads  close  upon  the 
heels  of  transgression.  Gen.  Ross,  a  Britisi  com 
mander,  a  few  weeks  before  this  place  was  att  ved, 
burnt  the  Capitol,  the  President's  house,  and  the  na- 


$8  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

tional  library  at  Washington.  Near  Baltimore  he  was 
slain  by  the  hand  of  an  American  !  We  cannot  scan 
the  mysterious  decrees  of  Providence  ;  "  his  ways  are 
past  finding  out ;'" but*  while  the  noble  sentiment  in 
herent  with  American  bosoms,  induces  them  to  honour 
the  memory  of  a  valiant  and  generous  foe  like  Brock, 
they  silently  acquiesce  in  the  justice  of  heaven  in  re 
moving  a  Vandal  enemy  like  Ross. 

The  President  took  his  departure  from  Baltimore 
upon  the  4th,  amidst  the  prayers  of  the  good  for  the 
benedictions  of  heaven  upon  his  life,  and  the  blessings 
of  all  upon  him,  for  his  dignified  affability  and  the  deep 
interest  he  manifested  for  the  welfare  and  happiness  of 
the  place.  He  entered  the  steam  boat  Philadelphia, 
being  conducted  to  it  by  the  mayor  and  city  council, 
and  was  accompanied  to  Frenchtown  by  a  number  of 
the  citizens.  He  reached  New-Castle,  and  there  lodg 
ed.  In  the  two  last  mentioned  places,  although  there 
was  but  little  parade,  the  whole  population  evinced  by 
every  visible  demonstration,  their  high  respect  and 
veneration  for  the  President. 

He  arrived  at  Philadelphia  upon  the  6th,  and  was  re 
ceived  there  in  a  style  highly  creditable  to  the  taste  and 
elegance  of  its  citizens.  The  manner  of  his  reception, 
shewed  that  amongst  a  refined  people,  the  most  enthu 
siastic  admiration  will  always  be  restrained  by  the  dic- 
lates  of  propriety. 

The  President,  while  in  this  important  city,  and  its 
vicinity,  instead  of  indulging  himself  in  the  luxurious 
enjoyments  that  were  every  where  spread  before  him, 
devoted  himself  to  the  most  minute  attention  in  exam 
ining  the  almost  endless  variety  of  important  establish- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  69 

merits  belonging  either  to  the  nation,  the  state,  or  indi 
viduals.  The  first  object  that  attracted  his  attention 
here,  was  the  great  object  he  had  in  view  in  making  his 
laborious  Tour  ;  the  defence  of  his  country  against  an 
enemy.  This  city  may  be  approached  through  the 
Delaware  by  the  largest  ships  that  swim  upon  the  ocean. 
It  was  a  long  time  in  possession  of  the  enemy  in  the  re 
volutionary  war,  and  its  possession  was  of  immense  im 
portance  to  them,  and  of  severe  distress  to  the  country. 
But  the  President  now  had  the  satisfaction  of  witnessing 
the  progress  and  almost  the  completion  of  a  great  work 
forty  miles  below  it,  which  will  secure  this  great  city 
from  the  approach  of  a  naval  enemy.  He  inspected 
the  numerous  manufacturing  establishments  upon  the 
Brandy  wine,  and  there  witnessed  the  perfection  to 
which  machinery  had  been  carried  by  his  enterprising 
and  inventive  countrymen.  He  was  received  at  fort 
Mifflin  with  the  customary  honours,  and  gave  it  an  ex 
amination  with  the  eye  of  a  soldier.  The  navy  yard 
and  the  Franklin  74,  were  by  him  minutely  inspected. 
Delightful  indeed  was  the  association  of  ideas  when  on 
board  this  majestic  ship,  bearing  the  name  of  the  Amer 
ican  Philosopher,  and  laying  before  the  city  which  was 
honoured  by  his  residence. 

"  The  public  establishments  of  this  city,  as  well  as 
those  belonging  to  the  United  States,  were  visited.  He 
was  at  the  penitentiary,  and  there  witnessed  the  most 
extraordinary  institution  in  the  universe  ;  a  prison  to 
which  all  the  criminals  of  the  state  are  committed  after 
a  sentence  ;  and  the  disorderly  of  this  large  city.  It 
has  at  times  contained  prisoners  of  both  sexes  to  the 
amount  of  600.  There  he  saw  a  prison,  containing  the 


70  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

worst  characters  of  the  community,  the  collective  de 
pravity  of  the  vices  of  society,  kept  in  useful,  whole 
some  employment ;  with  the  same  quietness  as  a  qua- 
ker  meeting ;  with  the  order  and  obedience  of  a  military 
body  ;  well  fed  and  warmly  clad  ;  and  by  a  happy  sys 
tem  of  order  and  humanity,  secure  against  the  despair, 
the  violence  and  outrages  common  to  prisons  ;  the 
whole  kept  in  order  by  only  seven  men  ;  and  the  se 
cret  of  the  establishment  by  which  this  astonishing  in 
stitution  is  conducted  is  to  avoid  cruel  punishments  ; 
to  avoid  every  kind  of  ignominy  ;  to  induce  self-respect 
even  among  criminals,  and  to  induce  the  worst  to  hope  ; 
the  whole  prison,  such  as  in  other  places  requires  a  mil 
itary  guard,  is  conducted  by  only  seven  men,  whose 
mildness  of  manners  is  as  striking  as  the  excellence  of 
the  system  itself. 

The  President  also  visited  the  Pennsylvania  Hospi 
tal  ;  the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  ;  the  Museum  of  Mr. 
Peale  ;  Mr.  Sulley's  paintings,  &,c.  The  civil  author 
ities  of  this  state  waited  on  him  ;  and,  indeed,  his  quar 
ters  at  the  Mansion  House  were  crowded  every  hour." 

It  is  impossible  in  a  work  so  limited  as  this,  to  notice 
all  the  civilities  he  received,  or  insert  all  the  addresses 
that  were  delivered  ;  but  as  the  Pennsylvania  State 
.Society  of  Cincinnati  approached  their  illustrious  com 
patriot  with  the  manly  and  affectionate  language  of  sol 
diers  ;  and  as  he  reciprocated  their  civilities  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  heart,  the  address  and  answer  must  not  be 
omitted. 


71 
TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Sm — Embracing  the  occasion  which  your  attention, 
as  Chief  Magistrate,  to  the  military  defences  of  the  Uni 
ted  States,  has  afforded,  it  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that 
the  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Cin 
cinnati,  a  portion  of  the  surviving  few,  who  were  your 
associates  in  arms  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  ap 
proach  to  renew  their  personal  intercourse,  and  to  as 
sure  you  of  their  cordial  support  to  the  firm  and  impar 
tial  administration  of  the  government,  which,  by  com 
bining  in  its  measures  domestic  tranquillity  with  the  res 
pect  of  foreign  nations,  they  confidently  anticipate,  will 
promote  the  best  interests  of  the  United  States,  ensure  to 
our  citizens  the  advantage  of  social  harmony  and  indi 
vidual  happiness. 

That  you  may  participate  those  blessings,  and  enjoy 
the  grateful  esteem  of  a  happy  people,  is  the  sincere 
wish  of 

Your  faithful  friends, 

And  respectful  fellow  citizens. 

Signed  by  order,  and  by  the 

unanimous  vote  of  the  Society, 

D.  LENOX,  President. 

HORACE  BINNEY,  Secretary. 
Philadelphia,  June  6,   1817. 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  ANSWER. 

To  the  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  the  Cin 
cinnati. 
FELLOW  CITIZENS  ; 

In  attending  to  the  military  and  naval  defence  of  the 
United  States,  nothing  can  be  more  gratifying  to  me, 
than  to  meet  the  surviving  members  of  my  associates 
in  arms,  who  distinguished  themselves  in  our  revolu 
tionary  contest.  I  can  never  forget  the  dangers  of  that 
great  epoch,  nor  be  indifferent  to  the  merit  of  those 
who  partook  in  them. 


72 

To  promote  tranquillity  at  home,  and  respect  a- 
broad,  by  a  firm  and  impartial  administration,  are  among 
the  highest  duties  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Unit 
ed  States.  To  acquit  myself  in  the  discharge  of  these 
duties,  with  advantage  to  my  fellow-citizens,  will  be  the 
undeviating  object  of  my  zealous  exertions.  Their  ap 
probation  will  be  the  highest  recompense  which  I  can 
receive. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

Philadelphia,  June  6,   1817. 

The  Cincinnati  Society  was  formed  at  the  close  o 
the  revolution,  by  the  surviving  veterans  who  carried 
their  country  triumphantly  through  it.  It  has  been  a 
bond  of  union  among  them  ever  since.  Although  the 
funds  of  the  society  have  always  been  very  limited,  it 
has  afforded  relief  to  many  of  the  patriotic  followers 
of  WASHINGTON,  whose  scars  have  felt  "  the  pelting 
of  the  pitiless  storm,"  and  who  have  too  long  been  me 
lancholy  monuments  of  the  ingratitude  of  their  eman 
cipated  countrymen.  In  most  of  the  states,  there  is  a 
State  Society  of  Cincinnati. 

The  city  of  Philadelphia,  the  largest  in  the  union,  is 
situated  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  the  ocean, 
and  six  miles  above  the  confluence  of  the  rivers  Dela 
ware  and  Schuylkill.  It  was  settled  by  that  eminent 
statesman  and  Christian  WILLIAM  PENN,  in  1682,  and 
from  him  received  its  charter,  in  1701.  Its  plan  is  a 
parallelogram,  the  streets  crossing  each  other  at  right 
angles.  Its  public  buildings  embrace  those  of  every 
kind  ;  a  State  house  ;  a  number  of  elegant  banks  ; 
forty-four  religious  edifices  ;  elegant  structures  for  the 
numerous  philosophical,  medical,  humane,  and  me 
chanical  societies  ;  an  university,  and,  indeed,  every 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  73 

species  of  buildings  necessary  for  the  transaction  of 
political  business  ;  the  education  of  youth  in  the  va 
rious  sciences';  the  advancement  of  the  arts,  and  the 
promulgation  of  that  knowledge  which  dignifies  man. 
and  advances  human  happiness.  In  the  bosom  of  this 
important  city  have  been  established  most  of  the  im 
portant  institutions  of  the  AMERICAN  REPUBLIC.  In  this 
city,  our  government  was  organized  under  our  Consti 
tution.  In  the  political  system  of  the  New  World,  it 
may  be  denominated  the  primum  nubile.  Under  the 
guidance  of  WASHINGTON,  a  man  who  might  justly  claim 
an  exemption  from  most  of  the  infirmities  of  his  species, 
the  Legislative  power  was  systematised  ;  the  Judiciary 
power  was  fixed,  and  the  Financial  System  was  arranged. 
The  intercourse  between  the  United  States,  and  the  rest 
of  the  world  here  commenced,  after  they  became  inde 
pendent  of  foreign  control ;  and  here  many  ambassadors 
from  the  first  courts  in  the  world,  witnessed,  with  aston 
ishment,  the  rapid  progress  of  political  science  toward 
perfection.  They  here  saw  a  new  people,  untrammelled 
from  every  badge  of  feudal  slavery,  and  ecclesiastical 
tyranny,  establishing  civil  and  religious  liberty  upon  the 
only  basis  upon  which  it  can  stand  ;  the  rights  of  man. 
Philadelphia  continued  to  be  the  seat  of  the  national 
government  until  it  was  removed  to  Washington  in  1800. 
In  a  literary  and  scientific  point  of  view,  it  must  be  con 
sidered  as  the  Athens  of  America.  It  was  here  that 
FRANKLIN,  by  the  power  of  electricity,  discovered  the 
means  of  making  the  thunder  roll  harmlessly  over  our 
heads,  and  shielded  our  habitations  from  the  destruction 
of  the  forked  lightning.  It  was  here  that  RUSH,  by  the 
aid  of  medical  science,  robbed  the  "  pestilence  that 

G 


74  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  destruction  that  wasteth 
at  noon  day,"  of  half  their  terrors.  The  scientific  and 
literary  productions  of  the  scholars  of  this  place  in  later 
days,  show  that  she  is  still  the  metropolis  of  science  in 
the  western  world.  The  population  in  1810,  was 
112,000. 

An  event  that  took  place  here  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  cannot  be  passed  over  in  silence  in  this  work.  It 
was  "  the  Battle  of  the  Kegs."  It  was  not  exactly  the 
Torpedo  system  of  warfare,  but  the  explosion  of  a  great 
number  of  kegs  of  powder  in  the  water,  produced  the 
most  ludicrous  effect,  and  the  most  facetious  poem,  the 
country  ever  witnessed,  or  read.  An  account  of  it, 
and  the  poem  made  upon  the  occasion,  may  be  found  in 
Humphrey's  Life  of  Putnam. 

The  President  left  Philadelphia  upon  the  7th,  with 
Gen.  SWIFT  and  his  private  secretary  Mr.  MASON,  and 
directed  his  cousse  toward  Trenton,  the  capital  of  JWa? 
Jersey.  *, Upon  his  approach  to  this  place,  the  pains 
and  the  pleasures  of  memory  must  have  alternately 
agitated  his  mind.  He  must  have  reflected,  that  through 
the  state  of  New  Jersey,  his  great  compatriot  in  the 
revolutionary  struggle,  General  WASHINGTON,  was  a 
wanderer  with  a  few  faithful  soldiers,  viewing  the 
country  he  loved  better  than  himself,  sinking  into  a  de 
graded  submission  before  an  imperious  and  unrelenting 
foe  ;  a  foe  that  pursued  her  own  countrymen,  in  her 
own  colonies,  with  "  a  step  steady  as  time  ;  with  an 
appetite  keen  as  death."  But  that  retrospection  that 
hurried  his  mind  back  to  that  period  of  deep  despond 
ency,  also  made  his  heart  beat  with  that  patriotic  fer 
vour  which  then  aroused  the  despairing  courage  of  his 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUR.  76 

countrymen  at  the   "  Victory  of  Trenton"     A  merce 
nary  band  of  soldiers,  fighting  here  in  the  unjust  cause 
of  a  foreign  potentate  for  their  bread,  were  encounter 
ed,  subdued,  and  captured,  by  a  little  phalanx  of  repub 
lican  soldiers,  led  by  the  American  Fabius,  who  were 
contending  for  "  the  soil  which  their  grandsires  defend 
ed."     In  this  contest,  JAMES  MONROE,  now  the  first  ma 
gistrate  in  twenty  one  sovereign  and  independent  states, 
fought  in  a  subordinate  rank.     The  wounds  he  here  re 
ceived,  furnish  evidence  of  his  early  courage,  and  of 
his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  his  injured  and  then  suf 
fering  country.     His  fellow  citizens,  remembering  his 
youthful  valour,  and  respecting  his  matured  wisdom, 
and  elevated  rank,   received  him  with  an  unaffected 
cordiality,   more  expressive   of  real  esteem,  than  all 
the  gorgeous  pageantry  with  which  a  sovereign  prince 
is  escorted  through  his  capital  by  his  enslaved  subjects. 
"  On  Saturday  evening,  the   7th  June,  a  little  after 
sunset,  the  President,  accompanied  by   Gen.    Swift, 
Chief  of  Engineers,  Mr.  Ingersoll,  District  Attorney  for 
Pennsylvania,   and  Mr.  Mason,  his  private  Secretary, 
reached  the  Delaware  bridge  below  this  city,   where 
the  principal  authorities,   the  volunteer  companies  of 
Trenton,  commanded  by  captain  Rossell,   and  a  large 
concourse  of  citizens  were  awaiting  him.     His  arrival 
was  announced  by  apiece  of  artillery,  under  the  direc 
tion  of  captain  Yard,  and  by  the  ringing  of  bells.     He 
was  conducted  by  the  military  escort  to  Anderson's 
tavern  ;  where   afeu-de  joie  was   fired.     The  Mayor, 
Mr.  M'Neely,  the  Recorder,  Mr.  Charles  Ewing,    and 
Aldermen  Broadhurst,  Taylor  and  Smith,  were  imme- 


76  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

diately  presented  to  him,  when  the  Recorder  made  him 
(he  following  extempore  Address." 

The  Mayor  and  City  Council,  and,  through  us, 
the  citizens  of  Trenton,  present  to  you,  Sir,  their  most 
unfeigned  respects  ;  congratulate  you  on  your  arrival, 
and  give  you  a  most  cordial  welcome  to  this  city — the 
scene,  Sir,  of  some  of  the  services  you  have  rendered 
our  country.  We  most  sincerely  wish  you  the  enjoy 
ment  of  health,  a  long  life,  and  a  prosperous  adminis 
tration. 

TO  WHICH   THE   PRESIDENT  SPONTANEOUSLY  REPLIED   : 

I  feel  very  sensibly  this  kind  attention  on  the  part  of 
the  authorities  of  the  city  of  Trenton  ;  the  place  where 
the  hopes  of  the  Country  were  revived  in  the  war  of 
the  revolution,  by  a  signal  victory  obtained  by  the 
troops  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Washington,  after 
a  severe  and  disastrous  campaign.  I  am  well  acquaint 
ed  with  the  patriotism  of  the  citizens  of  Trenton,  and, 
indeed,  of  Jersey  ;  for  none  suffered  more,  or  display 
ed  greater  patriotism,  in  our  revolutionary  contest.  I 
beg  you  to  accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  continued 
prosperity  and  happiness. 

The  President  spent  the  following  sabbath  in  Tren 
ton,  and,  with  his  suite,  attended  divine  service  at  one 
of  the  churches  in  that  place.  It  is  a  fact  worthy  of 
observation,  and  undoubtedly  a  source  of  high  gratifi 
cation  to  the  admirers  of  the  Christian  Religion,  that 
the  President,  during  his  Tour,  embraced  every  oppor 
tunity  to  unite  with  his  fellow  citizens  upon  the  Chris 
tian  sabbath,  in  adoring  the  Creator  of  the  world. — 
Although  our  inimitable  constitution  absolutely  prohi 
bits  the  passage  of  any  religious  test  act ;  although  the 
bright  constellation  of  American  statesmen  have  always 


JPfcESIDENT  S    TOUR,  77 

resisted  the  establishment  of  any  privileged  order,  or 
religious  sect  'r  and  although  the  most  unqualified  tolera 
tion  in  religious  worship  is  extended  to  every  sect  that 
has  arisen  in  the  world,  from  the  days  of  Moses  to  this 
time  ;  yet,  as  the  Christian  Religion  is  the  prevailing 
system  in  our  country,  it  must  be  a  subject  of  real  con 
gratulation  to  its  believers,  that  their  Chief  Magistrate 
is  willing  to  manifest  his  belief  of  it,  by  publicly  com 
plying  with  its  ordinances.  In  his  answer  to  the  Cler 
gymen  of  Portland,  he  not  only  expresses  "  reverence 
for  our  Maker,"  but  recognizes  "  our  Lord  and  S&- 
viour." 

Trenton  is  situated  upon  the  river  Delaware,  thirty 
miles  N.  E.  of  Philadelphia.  It  is  a  small,  but  hand 
some  town,  having  a  court  house,  a  prison,  an  academy, 
five  houses  of  public  worship,  and  more  than  three 
thousand  inhabitants. 

The  feelings  of  the  President,  while  in  this  place, 
must  have  been  of  a  nature  which  but  few  can  justly  ap 
preciate,  and  with  which  a "  stranger  intermeddleth  not." 
He  must  have  left  it  with  a  heart  glowing  with  gratitude 
to  that  Being  who  sits  upon  the  undisputed  throne  of 
the  universe,  that  he  had,  in  his  merciful  dispensations, 
made  Trenton  a  place  where  all  may  now  enjoy  tran 
quillity  and  peace,  "  having  none  to  molest,  or  make 
them  afraid  ;"  and  he  must  have  contrasted  its  present 
enviable  situation,  with  what  it  was,  when  he  viewed  it 
in  the  hands  of  a  merciless  foe,  who  held  the  lives  of 
its  unoffending  citizens  at  their  own  disposal ;  and  who5 
without  compunction,  had  murdered  a  minister  of  the 
everlasting  gospel,  whose  holy  functions  led  him  to  dig- 

G  2 


78  PRESIDENT'S  TOUK. 

pense  the  word  of  life,  in  an  unoffending  manner,  to  the 
people  of  his  chosen  flock. 

He  left  this  place  upon  the  9th,  and  passed  through 
a  country  which  furnished  occular  demonstration  of  the 
industry  and  comfort  of  its  inhabitants. 

"  At  New-Brunswick  he  was  received  a  few  miles 
from  town.  Chief  Justice  Kirkpatrick,  in  the  name  of 
the  committee,  respectfully  congratulated  the  President 
on  his  arrival  ;  to  which  he  made  a  polite  and  suitable 
reply. 

As  the  President  approached,  he  was  met  and  escort 
ed  to  the  City  Tavern.  His  arrival  was  announced  by 
the  ringing  of  bells  and  the  discharge  of  cannon.  At 
the  entrance  of  the  town,  an  elegant  horse,  was  tender 
ed  the  President,  which  he  mounted  and  rode  into  town. 
The  streets  were  literally  filled  with  spectators,  all 
anxious  to  testify  their  respect  for  the  Chief  Magis 
trate. 

A  number  of  citizens  also  attended,  and  were  pre 
sented  by  the  committee  to  the  President,  who  receiv 
ed  them  with  great  affability  and  marked  respect. 

After  remaining  about  an  hour,  he  again  mounted  on 
horseback,  and  proceeded  on  his  journey  towards  New- 
York.  Captain  Van  Dyke's  troop  accompanied  him 
about  five  miles." 

He  arrived  at  New-York  city,  upon  the  llth  June, 
1817. 

Upon  entering  this  city,  unquestionably  the  first  in 
the  western  world  in  a  commercial  point  of  view,  the 
emporium  of  commerce,  and  the  mart  of  trade  in  the 
American  States  ;  a  flood  of  ideas  must  have  rushed  in 
to  his  comprehensive  mind.  It  was  in  this  city  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  79 

"  Old  Congress"  once  assembled.  This  convention  of 
gigantic  statesman,  representing  thirteen  infant  colo 
nies,  held  together  by  no  other  ligament  than  that  rope 
of  sand,  "  The  old  Confederation,"  here  sat  in  solemn 
council  to  devise  ways  and  means  to  protect  them  from 
the  almost  irresistible  power  of  their  mother  country, 
determined  to  deprive  them  of  the  right  of  self  govern 
ment.  This  place  in  the  early  stages  of  the  revolution 
ary  struggle,  was  evacuated  by  the  American  forces, 
and  surrendered  to  an  enemy  whom  they  could  not  then 
conquer. 

He  might  have  seen  Washington,  by  a  masterly  re 
treat  saving  the  remnant  of  an  army,  from  the  d}^ing 
miseries  of  a  prison  ship,  iji  which  thousands  of  his 
countrymen  perished  in  a  manner  ten  times  more  ter 
rible  than  that  of  the  prisoners  at  Jaffa. 

This  city  was,  during  almost  the  whole  war,  the 
strong  hold  of  the  King's  army.  It  was  here  the  pow 
er  of  Britain  presented  the  most  imposing  aspect,  and 
induced  many  Americans,  in  the  adjoining  country,  to 
desert  the  republican  standard  ;  join  the  enemies  of 
their  country,  and  become  the  most  cruel  and  ferocious 
foes  to  their  own  brethren. 

These  reflections  must  have  produced  a  sombre 
gloom.  But  how  animating  must  have  been  the  con 
trasted  scene.  When  rebellion  became  a  revolution, 
he  might  have  seen  a  British  army  giving  back  this  place 
to  his  conquering  countrymen  ;  the  last  they  surren 
dered  ;  and,  by  the  act  surrendering  their  last  hopes 
in  America  ;  giving  up  the  most  brilliant  diamond  in 
the  British  diadem.  He  might  have  here  seen  his  first 
predecessor,  the  then  conquering  and  now  immortal 


80  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

WASHINGTON  ;  the  Cincinnatus  of  America,  yield 
ing  the  honoured  laurels  that  graced  his  hoary  head  to 
his  fellow  citizens,  and  retiring  to  private  life,  only  to 
be  called  again  to  lead  their  councils. 

The  President  was  received  in  this  city  in  the  following 
manner  : 

"  The  Committee  of  Arrangements  of  the  Corpo 
ration,  Major  General  Morton,  and  Major  General 
Mapes,  and  their  suites,  left  the  city  at  8  o'clock,  for 
the  seat  of  the  Vice-President  at  Staten  Island,  where 
the  President  had  remained  from  the  llth. 

At  ten,  the  President,  with  those  gentlemen,  and  with 
the  Vice-President,  General  Swift,  Com.  Evans,  and 
Captain  Biddle,  of  the  navy,  left  Staten  Island  in  the 
Steam-boat.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  Saranac, 
sloop  of  war,  and  the  revenue  cutter,  who,  in  their  ap 
proach  to  the  city,  fired  salutes.  A  salute  was  also 
fired  from  Castle  Williams  as  they  passed.  The  ele 
gant  band  of  Colonel  Mercein's  regiment,  was  on  board 
the  Steam-boat,  and  played  a  variety  of  airs. 

On  their  approaching  the  Battery,  several  barges 
from  the  Fort  attended,  and  the  President,  with  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  the 
Commander  of  the  State  Artillery,  and  the  Command 
er  of  the  Navy,  with  his  own  suite,  General  Swift,  and 
Mr.  Mason,  left  the  Steam-boat  in  Com.  Evans'  elegant 
barge  ;  the  rest  of  the  company  in  the  other  barges. 
They  landed  at  the  Battery,  under  a  salute  from  a  Battal 
ion  of  Artillery,  placed  for  that  purpose  ;  the  Commit 
tee  of  Arrangements  first  landing  and  receiving  the 
President  with  congratulations. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  81 

On  his  arrival  into  the  city,  the  President  and  suite, 
Major  General  Scott,  of  the  United  States  army,  Gen 
erals  Morton,  Mapes,  and  Swift,  then  dismounted  and 
reviewed  the  line  of  troops  paraded  on  the  occasion, 
under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Stevens,  of 
the  first  Brigade  of  Artillery.  A  conspicuous  and  ho 
norary  place  to  witness  the  review  was  assigned  to  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements,  and  a  numbar  of  navy 
officers. 

After  the  review,  the  President,  with  the  General 
Officers,  took  their  stations  at  the  head  of  the  column, 
and  proceeded  up  Broadway,  and  entered  at  the  west 
gate  of  the  Park.  The  President  placed  himself  in 
front  of,  and  facing  the  City  Hall,  and  then  received 
from  the  troops  the  honours  of  the  marching  salute. 
After  the  salute,  the  President  alighted,  was  received 
on  the  steps  of  the  Hall  by  the  Committee  of  arrange 
ments,  and  conducted  by  them  to  the  elegant  room  in 
the  City  Hall  assigned  to  him  by  the  common  council, 
for  the  purpose  of  receiving  visitors.  The  common 
council,  being  assembled  for  the  purpose,  then  waited 
upon  him,  when  his  Honour  the  Mayor,  in  behalf,  ad 
dressed  him  as  follows  :" 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Commonalty  of 
the  city  of  New  York,  beg  leave  to  present  to  you, 
their  sincere  congratulations  on  your  arrival  in  this 
city. 

It  is  with  pride  and  pleasure  that  they  see  amongst 
them  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation,  in  the  capa 
city  of  a  private  citizeij  reposing  himself  with  just 
confidence  in  the  affections  of  a  generous  people,  and 
are  happy  to  embrace  this  opportunity,  on  behalf  of 


82  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

themselves  and  their  fellow  citizens,  to  express  to  him 
the  high  sense  they  entertain  of  his  private  virtues  and 
public  services. 

Called  by  the  voice  of  a  nation  of  Freemen  to  the 
first  office  in  their  power  to  bestow,  you  can  possess  no 
higher  evidence  of  their  approbation  of  your  past  con 
duct,  and  of  their  confidence  in  the  able  and  faithful 
discharge  of  the  important  duties  assigned  to  your  pre 
sent  station.  Nothing  can  add  to  the  force  of  this  testi 
mony,  founded,  as  it  is,  with  uncommon  unanimity  on 
the  sense  of  a  free  and  enlightened  people. 

We  learn,  with  great  satisfaction,  that  your  present 
Tour  is  connected  with  the  object  of  carrying  into  ef 
fect  the  measures  of  general  defence  proposed  by  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  that  you  have  deem 
ed  them  of  sufficient  importance  to  merit  your  personal 
attention.  On  this  subject,  permit  us  to  say,  that  our 
citizens  feel  a  deep  and  lively  interest.  This  state, 
from  its  local  situation  and  exterior  frontier,  is  peculiar 
ly  subject  to  become  the  theatre  of  war  ;  and  the  city 
of  New-York,  while  it  affords  the  strongest  temptation, 
is  much  exposed  from  its  natural  position  to  the  at 
tempts  of  a  foreign  enemy.  Although  in  the  late  con 
test  it  has  not  actually  been  assailed,  we  may  presume 
it  may,  without  arrogance,  be  said,  that  the  extraordina 
ry  and  spirited  exertions  of  our  citizens,  powerfully, 
supported  by  the  patriotic  efforts  of  the  people  of  this 
and  a  neighbouring  state,  taught  the  enemy  to  believe 
that  such  an  attempt  could  not  be  made  with  impunity. 
The  wisdom  of  our  government  is  displayed  by  the  meas 
ures  now  undertaken,  to  provide  in  time  of  peace,  the 
security  required  in  time  of  war  ;  and  we  feel  the  high 
est  confidence  that,  under  your  auspices,  that  security 
will  be  afforded,  for  every  future  emergency.  The 
present  happy  condition  of  our  country,  in  general,  de 
mands  our  highest  gratitude  to  the  Supreme  Ruler  of 
events,  and  opens  to  our  view  great  and  interesting 
prospects.  In  a  state  of  profound  peace,  after  a  con 
flict,  in  which  the  rights  of  thWnation  have  been  vindi 
cated  and  the  honour  of  the  American  name  been  ex 
alted,  we  see  a  great  people  united  amongst  them- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUK.  $3 

selves — devoted  to  a  government  of  their  choice — 
possessing  a  country  as  fertile  as  it  is  extensive — 
evincing  a  spirit  of  enterprize  in  the  various  employ 
ments  of  agriculture,  commerce  and  manufactures — ar 
dent  in  the  pursuits  of  science,  and  in  cultivating  the 
arts  which  adorn  civilized  society,  and  advancing  in 
population,  power  and  wealth,  with  a  rapidity  hitherto 
unexampled.  The  destinies  of  such  a  people,  with  the 
blessings  of  Providence,  cannot  be  anticipated,  and  de 
fy  calculation. 

It  is  your  happiness,  Sir,  to  have  commenced  your 
administration  at  a  period  thus  propitious  and  -interest 
ing  ;  and  we  have  no  doubt  it  will  be  your  great  ambi 
tion  to  bestow  on  these  important  objects  all  the  patron 
age  in  your  power,  and  justify  the  high  expectations 
which  have  been  formed. 

That  the  pleasing  prospects  we  have  indulged  may 
be  happily  realized,  and  that  your  administration  may, 
in  all  respects,  effectually  promote  the  best  interests  of 
the  United  States,  and  that  you  may  long  live  to  witness 
the  prosperity  of  your  country,  and  enjoy  the  esteem  of 
a  virtuous  people,  is  the  ardent  wish  of  those  on  whose 
behalf  1  have  the  honour  to  address  you. 

In  behalf  of  the  Corporation  of  the  city,  I  have  the 
honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  highest  es 
teem,  your  obedient  servant. 

J.  RADCLIFF. 

TO  WHICH  THE  PRESIDENT  MADE  THE  FOLLOWING  REPLY  : 

To  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  city  of 
New -York. 

FFLLOW-ClTIZENS   ; 

In  performing  a  duty  enjoined  on  me  by  the  Con 
stitution  and  Laws  of  the  United  States,  I  cannot  express 
the  satisfaction  which  I  derive  from  the  intercourse  to 
which  it  leads,  with  so  many  of  my  fellow  citizens  ;  and 
from  the  opportunity  it  affords  to  behold,  in  person,  the 
blessings  which  an  all  gracious  Providence  has  extend- 
ed  to  them* 


84  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

In  executing  the  laws  which  Congress  have  wisely- 
adopted  for  the  national  defence,  the  Atlantic  and  in 
land  frontiers  of  this  state,  by  their  exposed  situation, 
are  entitled  to  particular  attention.  1  am  aware  too, 
that  -this  populous  and  flourishing  city,  presents,  in 
times  of  war,  a  strong  temptation  to  the  cupidity  of  an 
invading  foe.  It  is  in  the  spirit  of  the  laws  which  I  am 
called  to  execute — it  is  in  the  spirit  of  the  people 
whom  I  represent,  to  provide  amply  for  the  security  of 
every  part,  according  to  the  danger  to  which  it  is  ex 
posed.  In  performing  this  duty,  I  shall  endeavour  to 
be  their  faithful  organ. 

The  present  prosperous  condition  of  our  country  is, 
as  you  justly  observe,  the  best  proof  of  the  excellence 
of  our  institutions,  and  of  the  wisdom  with  which  they 
have  been  administered. 

It  affords,  too,  a  solid  ground  on  which  to  indulge 
the  most  favourable  anticipations  as  to  the  future.  An 
enlightened  people,  educated  in  the  principles  of  liber 
ty,  and  blessed  with  a  free  government — bold,  vigo 
rous,  and  enterprizing,  in  the  pursuit  of  every  just 
and  honourable  attainment — united  by  the  strong  ties 
of  a  common  origin,  of  interest  and  affection- — pos 
sessed  of  a  vast  and  fertile  territory — improving  in  ag 
riculture,  in  the  arts  and  manufactures — extending 
their  commerce  to  every  sea — already  powerful,  and 
rapidly  increasing  in  population,  have  every  induce 
ment  and  every  means  whereby  to  perpetuate  these 
blessings  to  the  latest  posterity. 

The  honourable  termination  of  the  late  war,  where 
by  the  rights  of  the  nation  were  vindicated,  should 
not  lull  us  into  repose — the  events  attending  it  show 
our  vulnerable  points,  and  it  is  in  time  of  peace  that 
we  ought  to  provide  by  strong  works  for  their  defence. 
The  gallantry  and  good  conduct  of  our  army,  navy, 
and  militia,  and  the  patriotism  of  our  citizens,  gener 
ally,  so  conspicuously  displayed  in  that  war,  may  al 
ways  be  relied  on.  Aided  by  such  works,  our  fron 
tiers  will  be  impregnable. 

Devoted  to  the  principles  of  our  government  from  my 
earliest  youth,  and  well  satisfied  that  the  great  blessings 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  86 

which  we  enjoy,  are,  under  Divine  Providence,  impu- 
table  to  that  great  cause,  it  will  be  the  object  of  my 
constant  and  zealous  efforts  to  give  to  those  principles 
their  best  effect.  Should  I,  by  these  efforts,  contribute, 
in  any  degree,  to  the  happiness  of  my  fellow  citizens, 
I  shall  derive  from  it  the  highest  gratification  of  which 
my  mind  is  susceptible. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

:t  After  this  ceremony  the  officers  of  the  artillery 
and  infantry,  and  many  distinguished  citizens  waited 
upon  and  were  presented  to  him.  The  Society  of  the 
Cincinnati,  with  their  respectable  Vice  President,  Gen. 
Stevens,  at  their  head,  also  waited  on  him  and  present 
ed  an  address,  by  Judge  Pendleton,  one  of  the  mem- 
bers." 

TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

SIR — The  New-York  Society  of  Cincinnati,  take  this 
opportunity,  when  your  important  duties  as  Chief  Ma 
gistrate  of  the  United  States,  have  procured  for  this 
city  the  honour  of  a  visit,  to  present  to  you  the  assur 
ances  of  their  respect,  and  of  their  cordial  disposition  to 
support,  with  all  their  power,  the  measures  which  the 
wisdom  of  the  government  shall  adopt,  to  promote  the 
honour  and  welfare  of  our  beloved  country. 

Your  presence  Sir,  recalls  those  patriotic  emotions  in 
which  the  Society  of  Cincinnati  originated  ;  and  as  a 
distinguished  individual  among  the  officers  of  the  revo 
lutionary  war,  of  which  the  Society  was  composed,  you 
are  associated  with  the  pleasing  recollections,  which  we 
cherish  of  the  result  of  that  ardent  struggle. 

We  beg  you  to  accept  our  sincere  wishes  for  your 
personal  happiness,  and  the  assurance  of  our  high  es 
teem  and  consideration. 

H 


86  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

To  which  the  President  made  the  following  reply  : 

The  opportunity  which  my  visit  to  this  city  in  the 
discharge  of  important  public  duties  has  presented,  of 
meeting  the  New-York  Society  of  Cincinnati,  with  ma 
ny  of  whom  I  was  well  acquainted  in  our  revolution,  af 
fords  me  heartfelt  satisfaction.  It  is  impossible  to  meet 
any  of  those  patriotic  citizens,  whose  valuable  services 
were  so  intimately  connected  with  that  great  event, 
without  recollections  which  it  is  equally  just  and  hon 
ourable  to  cherish. 

Jn  your  support  of  all  proper  measures  for  the  na 
tional  defence,  and  advancement  of  the  public  welfare, 
I  have  the  utmost  confidence.  Those,  whose  zeal  and 
patriotism  were  so  fully  tried  in  that  great  struggle, 
will  never  fail  to  rally  to  the  standard  of  their  country, 
in  any  emergency. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

"  The  President,  after  receiving  his  visitants,  was 
attended  by  the  committee  of  arrangements,  and  escor 
ted  by  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  to  the  quarters  provided 
for  him  at  the  elegant  establishment  of  Mr.  Gibson,  in 
Wall-street.  Previous  to  dinner,  the  President,  accom 
panied  by  Gens.  Scott,  Swift,  Morton,  and  Suits,  visit 
ed  the  United  States  Arsenal. 

At  5  o'clock  the  gentlemen  on  duty,  the  Vice  Pres 
ident,  the  Hon.  De  Witt  Clinton,  Governor  elect,  the 
Hon.  Rufus  King,  together  with  several  of  the  Presi 
dent's  former  brethren  in  arms,  Gen.  Stevens,  Colonel 
Willet,  Colonel  Platt,  and  the  committees  of  arrange 
ments  and  of  the  corporation,  dined  with  the  President 
at  his  quarters. 

In  the  evening  the  City  Hall  and  Theatre  were 
brilliantly  illuminated  and  decorated  with  appropriate 
transparences,  exhibiting,  perhaps,  one  of  the  most 
beantiful  spectacles  that  can  be  well  imagined. 


87 

The  whole  of  the  transactions  of  the  day  made  im 
pressions  which  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  our  citi 
zens.  The  occasion  itself,  the  reception  of  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  our  Country,  endeared  to  us  by  a  long 
course  of  public  services,  as  well  as  by  his  private  vir 
tues,  gave  an  interest  and  excited  feelings^  which  it  is 
the  peculiar  privilege  of  freemen  to  enjoy." 

The  President,  in  his  first  Tour,  paid  very  particu 
lar  attention  to  Manufacturing  Establishments.  He  of 
ten  expressed  his  admiration  at  the  progress  they  had 
made  toward  the  perfection  they  had  reached  in  Eu 
rope.  The  Report  of  the  "  Society  for  the  Encourage 
ment  of  Domestic  Manufactures,"  is  therefore  incor 
porated  into  this  work. 

il  Report  of  the  Corresponding  Committee  of  the  So 
ciety  for  the  Encouragement  of  Domestic  Manufac 
tures. 

The  Corresponding  Committee,  elected  in  pursu 
ance  of  the  third  article  of  the  Constitution,  for  the 
current  year,  respectfully  report  : — 

That  immediately  after  the  meeting  of  the  Society, 
held  on  the  31st  December,  1816,  they  took  the  speed 
iest  measures  for  carrying  into  effect  the  resolutions, 
respecting  the  printing  and  publishing  the  Address 
then  reported  and  adopted.  They  accordingly  caused 
to  be  printed  five  thousand  copies  ;  one  of  which  was 
transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
one  to  each  of  the  members  of  Congress,  and  heads  of 
department  of  the  general  government,  and  to  the  go 
vernors  and  members  of  the  Legislatures  of  the  states 
respectively,  as  far  as  the  same  was  practicable. 


#8  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

Your  Committee,  in  further  pursuance  of  the  duties 
delegated  to  them,  caused  a  memorial  to  be  drawn  up  in 
behalf  of  the  Society,  addressed  to  the  Congress  oi" 
the  United  States,  praying  for  the  permanency  of  the 
duties  imposed  by  the  tariff :  the  prohibition  of  cotton 
goods,  manufactured  beyond  the  cape  of  Good  Hope  ; 
such  revision  and  modification  of  the  revenue  laws,  as 
might  prevent  smuggling,  false  invoices,  and  other 
frauds  ;  for  a  duty  of  ten  per  cent,  on  auction  sales, 
with  the  exceptions  therein  stated  ;  for  a  recommenda 
tion  to  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  to  all 
civil  officers,  to  be  clothed  in  American  fabrics  ;  that  all 
public  supplies  for  the  army  and  navy  might  be  of  Ame 
rican  manufacture  ;  and  for  such  other  protection  as 
might  place  our  mercantile  and  manufacturing  interests 
beyond  the  reach  of  foreign  influence. 

It  is  with  pleasure  and  gratitude  your  committee 
have  learned,  that  the  war  department,  has  given  an 
entire  preference  to  domestic  manufacture,  and  a* 
much  is  confidently  hoped  from  the  department  of  the 
navy. 

Your  Committee  elected  a  delegate  to  proceed  with 
the  same  to  the  seat  of  government. 

Memorials  of  similar  import,  were  drawn  up  by  the 
merchants  of  this  city,  and  by  the  citizens  at  large, 
respectively  ;  and  another  member  of  your  Committee 
was  deputed  by  the  merchants,  who  also  appointed  a 
citizen  of  New  York,  then  in  the  city  of  Washington, 
to  co-operate  with  the  delegates  of  this  Society,  and 
caused  the  above  named  memorials  to  be  laid  before 
Congress,  with  instructions  to  solicit  and  promote  the 
objects  of  them,  by  their  best  endeavours. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  89 

The  delegates,  on  their  way  to  the  seat  of  govern 
ment,  took  occasion  to  explain,  to  certain  respectable 
and  influential  citizens  of  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore, 
the  object,  views,  and  motives,  of  this  Society,  and 
the  nature  of  their  mission  ;  and  had  the  satisfaction, 
during  the  short  period  of  one  day,  in  each  of  these 
cities,  to  witness  the  formation  of  kindred  associations, 
whose  proceedings  have  been  long  since  made  public  ; 
and  which,  by  their  intelligence,  patriotism,  capital,  and 
character,  have  proved  an  inappreciable  acquisition  to 
the  cause  of  domestic  industry. 

During  their  residence  in  the  city  of  Washington, 
the  said  delegates,  with  the  aid  and  co-operation  of 
their  colleague,  made  a  similar,  and  no  less  successful  ap 
peal,  to  the  citizens  of  Washington,  Georgetown,  and 
Alexandria  ;  who,  at  a  meeting  convened  by  public 
notice,  instituted  and  organized  an  association,  entitled 
the  Metropolitan  Society., — the  proceedings  of  this  as 
sociation  have  also  been  made  public  ;  and  their  zeal, 
influence,  and  respectability,  have  done  much  in  rous 
ing  the  spirit  of  inquiry,  and  promoting  the  true  inter 
ests  of  their  country. 

The  delegates  were  heard  with  much  attention  by 
the  committee  of  commerce  and  manufactures  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  to  whom  the  above  mention 
ed  memorials  were  referred,  and  that  committee  re 
ported  in  part  by  a  bill,  for  the  continuance  of  the  ex 
isting  duties  upon  importations  as  prayed  ;  and  referred 
the  other  matters  more  immediately  connected  with  the 
revenue,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury ;  whose  opin 
ions,  we  think  ourselves  authorized  to  state,  were  in 
unison  with  the  prayer  of  the  memorialists.  And  al 
ii  2 


90  PRESIDENT'S  Tour. 

though  the  lateness  of  the  session,  and  the  mass  of  ufi^ 
finished  business,  prevented  the  immediate  attainment 
of  the  objects  desired,  yet  the  wisest  and  most  expe 
rienced  in  and  out  of  Congress,  (the  enlightened  mem 
bers  of  the  committee  of  the  house  included)  were  of 
opinion,  that  nothing  would  be  lost  by  the  delay,  as 
every  day  would  offer  new  manifestations  of  the  pub 
lic  sentiment,  and  the  circumstances  of  the  times  be 
more  fully  developed,  and  operate  as  a  law  of  neces 
sity. 

It  may  be  important  also  to  state  the  friendly  inti 
mation  of  the  committee  itself,  that  nothing  would  more 
conduce  to  future  success,  than  an  authentic  collection 
of  facts,  tending  to  show  the  value  of  the  property  em 
barked  in  domestic  manufactures,  the  great  portion  of 
which  was  jeopardized  by  the  causes  set  forth,  and  the 
loss  and  irreparable  injury  the  community  must  suffer 
from  neglect,  and  indifference  to  so  essential  an  inter 
est.  As  that  information  could  be  best  collected  and 
embodied  by  the  active  industry  of  this  and  other  socie 
ties,  we  mention  as  an  additional  stimulus  to  exertion 
and  efforts  well  combined,  and  vigorously  sustained, 
and  we  trust  that  all  citizens,  who  prize  the  lasting  in 
dependence  of  their  country — who  rejoice  in  its  gene 
ral  and  individual  prosperity,  will  take  pride  and  pleas 
ure  in  sharing  so  generous  a  task. 

The  two  delegates  who  proceeded  together  from 
this  city,  were  gratified,  in  returning  through  the  town 
of  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania,  to  witness  the  forma 
tion  of  an  association  of  citizens,  possessed  of  every 
qualification  to  be  useful  ;  talent,  influence,  and  capi 
tal.  They  were  there  as  on  the  former  occasions,  in- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  91 

vited  to  explain  the  view  and  tendency  of  their  mis 
sion,  and  had. the  pleasure  to  find  the  principles  of  this 
institution,  approved,  adopted,  and  promptly  acted  upon 
by  their  respected  fellow  citizens. 

Numerous  societies  have  cotemporaneously  and  in 
rapid  succession  arisen  throughout  the  union  :  many 
have  announced  themselves  by  publications  full  of  en 
ergy  an4  marked  with  intelligence.  Regular  commu 
nications  have  been  transmitted  to  us  from  the  societies 
at  Wilmington,  in  the  state  of  Delaware  ;  Middletown, 
Hartford,  and  Litchfield,  in  Connecticut ;  Rome,  and 
other  places  in  the  state  of  New  York  ;  and  we  have 
full  authority  to  say  that  Ohio,  Kentucky,  New  Jersey, 
Virginia,  and  Mississippi,  will  soon  add  their  strength 
and  weight  to  the  common  stock. 

The  most  eminent  journalists,  without  regard  to  po 
litical  or  party  relations,  have  lent  their  unbought  tal 
ents  ;  and  essays  have  appeared  in  their  columns  which 
would  do  honour  to  any  country,  or  to  any  cause.  The 
periodical  publications  of  most  acknowledged  merit  and 
extensive  circulation,  have  likewise  appropriated  their 
labours  to  the  service  of  their  country  ;  and,  as  for  as 
their  sphere  extended,  have  put  prejudice  to  flight  and 
ignorance  to  shame. 

A  pamphlet  has  been  completed  by  a  judicious  and 
masterly  hand  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  from  the  re 
port  of  the  celebrated  Alexander  Hamilton,  made  by 
that  statesman  in  the  year  1790,  when  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  by  order  of  the  house  of  representatives. 
This  paper  has  been  eminently  serviceable,  inasmuch 
as  it  brings  back  the  judgment  of  the  reader  to  the  na 
tural  order  of  things,  before  the  distorted  and  disjointed 


92  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

relations  of  the  civilized  world  had  habituated  mankind 
to  disturbed  and  crooked  views,  and  fallacious  relian 
ces  upon  ephemeral  hopes  and  transient  speculations. 
It  establishes  principles,  pure  and  unerring — and  has 
the  merit  not  only  of  sage  predictions,  but  of  prophe 
cies  fulfilled. 

Jt  is  impossible  to  notice  all  the  valuable  tracts  that 
patriotic  excitement  has  given  birth  to,  within  the  short 
period  since  our  institution  led  the  way  ;  the  address 
of  the  society  of  Middletown,  in  Connecticut,  and  the 
report  of  the  committee  of  Pittsburgh,  reprinted  by  or 
der  of  the  house  of  representatives,  are  documents  de 
serving  much  attention  ;  and  it  is  to  be  wished,  that  a 
collection  of  the  most  of  these  valuable  tracts,  should  be 
embodied  and  preserved  ;  they  are  so  many  pledges  to 
the  public,  of  the/a^/i  and  loyalty  of  the  citizens. 

The  address  of  the  society  has  been  reprinted  and 
circulated  in  such  abundance,  in  so  many  different 
forms,  and  noticed  with  so  much  favour,  that  it  is  im 
possible  for  us  to  retire  from  the  front  of  the  battle, 
where  we  first  appeared,  without  some  loss  of  charac 
ter.  It  is  our  turn  now,  to  take  the  next  step  in  the 
field  of  generous  emulation,  and  we  should  meet,  more 
than  half  way,  every  overture  to  correspondence  and 
co-operation.  We  should  acknowledge  our  obligations 
for  the  confidence  reposed  in  us,  and  for  the  light  and 
instruction  reflected  upon  us. 

So  far  your  committee  have  traced  their  progress  in 
the  execution  of  their  trust  ;  so  far  our  bark  has  ad 
ventured  with  a  favouring  gale  ;  for  although  we  lament 
that  some  of  our  fabrics  must  suffer  within  this  year,  ir 
reparable  loss  :  yet  we  trust,  that  the  certainty,  with 


S3 

which  the}*  may  count  upon  the  fostering  care  of  the 
government,  will  in  general  restore  courage,  confidence, 
and  credit  ;  and  enable  the  greater  part,  to  ride  out  the 
storm.  The  immense  losses,  at  which  our  markets  are 
chitted,  cannot  endure  for  many  years,  and  little  can  he 
see,  who  does  no*t  read  the  rising  prosperity  of  our 
manufactures,  at  no  distant  day,  and  with  it,  the  power, 
happiness  and  security  of  this  high  favoured  land. 

Your  committee,  considering  the  interests  of  com 
merce  and  manufactures  as  inseparable  and  identical, 
cannot  close  this  report  without  noticing  an  evil  which 
has  grown  to  an  alarming  extent. 

The  present  system  of  auction  sales  of  recent  date,  in 
this  country,  and  an  anomaly  in  the  history  of  commerce, 
has  nearly  exploded  all  regular  business  ;  and  the  auc 
tioneer,  whose  office  was  formerly  subordinate  to  that  of 
the  merchant,  is  now  nearly  the  only  seller  ;  and  if 
subordinate  to  any,  merely  to  a  foreign  principal.  If 
any  sales  are  now  made  by  the  regular  trader,  they  are 
occasional  and  supplementary. 

Commercial  education,  orderly  habits,  and  sober  pur 
suits,  honour  and  good  faith,  too  fatally  yield  to  gam 
bling  speculations  and  fraudulent  contrivances.  The 
benefits,  if  any,  that  result  from  this  extraordinary  mo 
nopoly,  dearly  paid  for  by  the  ruin  of  a  class,  whose  in 
dustry  was  the  life  of  the  community,  and  through  them, 
in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  of  the  various  and  numer 
ous  description  of  persons,  who,  without  being  com 
mercial,  depend  upon  commerce  for  their  support: 
and  if  once  the  merchant  disappears  from  the  scene  ; 
if  the  source  is  once  destroyed,  the  thousand  channels 
which  it  fed,  become  dry  and  fruitless  :  the  proprietor. 


94 

the  mechanic,  the  artist,  the  labourer,  follow  in  the 
train,  and  must  seek  elsewhere  for  subsistence. 

Already  has  the  public  feeling  remonstrated  against 
this  abuse  ;  but  the  practice  has  still  prevailed.  The 
established  merchant,  it  has  been  shown,  must  ever  be 
unable  to  compete  with  the  stranger  who  is  charged  with 
no  contribution  to  the  public  service,  subjected  to  no 
rent  or  household  expenditure,  none  of  the  costs  or 
charges  of  a  commercial  establishment,  nor  taxes  nor 
impositions  for  the  support  of  the  government. 

Your  committee,  therefore,  refer  this  subject  to  the 
most  serious  attention  of  the  society,  that  the  most 
suitable  means  of  investigation  may  be  adopted  to  sub 
stantiate  its  truth  and  to  procure  relief." 

ADDRESS. 

''  All  who  believe  that  the  happiness  and  indepen 
dence  of  our  country,  are  connected  with  the  pros 
perity  of  our  manufuctures,  must  rejoice  to  see  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation,  honouring,  with  his  pres 
ence,  a  society  instituted  for  their  protection  and  en 
couragement.  Knowing  that  the  manufactures  of  the 
United  States  cannot,  in  their  infant  state,  resist  the 
rivalship  of  foreign  nations,  without  the  patronage 
of  the  government,  it  is  consoling  to  find,  that  he  to 
whom  the  unanimous  voice  of  a  free  people  has  com 
mitted  the  highest  office,  has  not  only  consented  to  be 
come  a  member  of  our  institution,  but  that  he  avails 
himself  of  the  first  opportunity  of  giving  it  the  counte 
nance  and  support  of  his  attendance. 

An  incident  like  this  may  form  a  new  era  in  the  his 
tory  of  society.  In  other  countries  the  influence  of  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  95 

magistrate  is  felt  only  from  the  operation  of  his  laws,  or 
through  the  instrumentality  of  his  subordinate  agents, 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  he  derives  his  information 
through  intermediate  channels.  But  our  happy  consti 
tution  places  the  people  and  their  officers  in  such  re 
lations  to  each  other,  that  they  may  have  a  mutual  and 
direct  intercourse  ;  and  we  now  behold  the  first  ma 
gistrate  of  a  great  nation,  seeking  at  its  source  the  infor 
mation,  which  will  enable  him  to  know  the  wants  and 
wishes  of  the  country.  A  life,  devoted  to  the  good  of 
his  country,  gives  us  assurance,  that  it  is  only  necessa 
ry  to  make  him  acquainted  with  what  will  promote  its 
happiness,  to  insure  all  the  support  which  may  be  de 
rived  from  his  high  station.  It  is  now  too  late  to  ques 
tion  the  advantages  of  manufactures.  All  history  shows 
us  how  much  they  have  contributed  to  the  prosperity 
of  every  state,  where  they  have  been  encouraged.  In 
deed  we  find  that  in  some  instances,  they  have  been  the 
sources  of  all  the  wealth  and  power  of  a  people.  As 
they  have  prospered  or  declined,  nations  have  risen  or 
sunk.  Even  wealth,  without  manufactures,  and  com 
merce,  has  only  served  to  degrade  a  great  community, 
by  the  introduction  of  that  luxury,  which  was  purchas 
ed  with  the  produce  of  inexhaustible  mines  of  gold. 
But  it  is  not  as  they  are  sources  of  wealth,  that  an 
American  must  feel  the  deepest  interest  in  the  fate  of 
our  manufactures  ;  they  more  nearly  concern  us,  as 
they  are  connected  with  our  independence.  For  how 
shall  we  avoid  the  influence  of  foreign  nations,  while  we 
suffer  ourselves  to  be  dependent  on  them,  not  only  for 
the  luxuries,  but  the  necessaries  of  life  !  Can  that  nation 
feel  independent,  which  has  no  reliance  but  upon  for- 


»0  PRESIDENT  S    TOUK. 

eign  hands  for  the  fabrics  which  are  to  clothe  her  cit 
izens  ?  for  manufactured  materials  which  are  necessa 
ry  for  the  construction  of  their  dwellings,  and  for  the 
tools  with  which  they  are  to  cultivate  their  soil  ? 

But  such  has  been  our  situation,  (unknown  almost  to 
ourselves)  until  a  jealousy  of  our  prosperity  provoked 
a  war,  which  barred  us  from  the  workshops  of  Eng 
land  ;  and  then  we  found  we  were  in  some  measure 
obliged  to  rely  on  a  treasonable  trade,  to  clothe  the  ar 
mies,  which  met  her  on  the  lield  of  battle.  The  very 
powder  which  generated  the  thunder  of  our  cannon, 
was  sometimes  British  manufacture,  and  the  striped 
bunting  may  often  have  been  from  the  same  loom  with 
the  cross  of  St.  George,  over  which  it  so  frequently 
waved  in  triumph. 

Such  a  state  of  things,  could  not  but  awaken  the  spi 
rit  and  enterprise  of  Americans.  Amidst  the  agita 
tions  of  war,  while  one  part  of  the  population  was 
ranging  itself  under  the  military  banners  of  our  coun 
try,  another  devoted  itself  to  her  interest  in  another 
form.  Manufactures  arose,  as  if  by  enchantment — on 
every  stream  she  formed  for  herself  spacious  dwell 
ings,  and  collected  in  them  many  thousands,  who  in  no 
other  way  could  contribute  to  the  general  weal.  Those 
too  young,  or  too  old  to  bear  arms,  who  had  not  strength 
for  agricultural  labours — the  female,  whose  domestic 
services  could  be  dispensed  with  in  her  family — found 
here  a  means  of  individual  gain,  and  of  adding  to  the 
public  prosperity.  In  a  short  three  years,  the  pro 
duce  of  our  looms  rivalled  foreign  productions,  and 
the  nations  with  which  we  were  contending,  felt  more 
alarm  from  the  progress  of  our  manufactures,  than  she 


PRESIDENTS  TOUK. 


did  from  the  success  of  our  arms.  But  peace  came. 
While  we  were  at  war,  the  warehouses  of  England 
were  filled  with  the  produce  of  the  labour  which  a  loss 
of  market  had  enabled  her  to  purchase  at  a  depreciated 
price.  The  moment  intercourse  between  the  two 
countries  was  opened,  her  hoarded  stores  were  thrown 
upon  us,  and  we  were  deluged  with  the  manufactures 
which  had  been  waiting  the  event.  They  could  be 
sold  without  profit,  because  the  manufacturer  thought 
himself  fortunate,  if  he  could  realise  the  capital  which 
he  had  been  obliged  to  expend,  to  support  his  estab 
lishment  while  there  was  no  sale  for  wares. 

But  he  was  content  to  bear  a  loss,  because,  in  the 

words  of  an  English    statesman,   '  it  was  well  worth 

while  to  incur  a  loss  upon  the  first  exportation,  in  or 

der  by  the  glut,  to  stifle  in  the   cradle,    those  rising 

manufactures  in  the  United  States,  which  the  war  had 

forced  into  existence.'     It  would  have  been  surprising, 

indeed,  if  our  infant  manufactures,  the  establishment 

of  which,  had  generally  exhausted  the  capitals  of  those 

who  embarked  in  them,  could  have  sustained  them 

selves  under  such  circumstances  without  any  aid  or 

support  from  the  government  —  without  any  means  of 

countervailing  the  effects   of  the  sacrifices  which  for 

eigners  were  willing  to  make  for  their  destruction.  — 

How  were  they  to  maintain  themselves  ?  It  was  impos 

sible  —  many  of  them  sunk  —  but  we  hope,  to  rise  again. 

The  attention  of  the  government,  was  too  ardently  di 

rected  during  the  war,  t6  other  objects,  to   perceive 

the  policy  or  necessity  of  that  protection,  which  the 

manufacturing  interest  did  not  then   appear  to  want. 

But  now  that  peace  will  leave  our  legislators  free  to 

I 


98  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

consider  and  provide  for  the  real  independence,  and 
permanent  prosperity  of  our  country  ;  now,  when  we 
have  at  the  head  of  our  administration,  a  citizen,  whose 
presence  here  this  evening,  assures  us  of  the  interest  he 
takes  in  the  objects  of  our  institution,  we  may  hope 
that  American  manufactures  will  receive  all  the  coun 
tenance  and  support,  that  can  be  derived  from  the 
power  of  the  government.  Let  that  power  be  exerted 
only  so  far  as  to  counteract  the  policy  of  foreign  na 
tions,  and  every  American  may  be  gratified  in  the  pride 
of  wearing  the  produce  of  the  American  soil,  manufac 
tured  by  American  hands.  Again,  shall  the  surplus 
population  of  our  great  cities,  and  the  feeble  powers 
of  women  and  children,  find  that  means  of  useful  and 
profitable  employment,  which  manufacturers,  alone  can 
afford  them.  Again  shall  the  patriotic  and  enterpris 
ing  capitalist,  find  advantages  in  devoting  his  means  and 
mind  to  objects  so  calculated  to  promote  the  prosperity 
and  happiness  of  his  country.  And  again  shall  foreign 
nations  dread  to  see  us  rising  to  that  real  independ 
ence,  which  we  never  can  in  truth  enjoy,  while  we  de 
pend  on  any  but  ourselves  for  the  first  necessaries  of 
life.  The  society  beg  leave  to  testify  to  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  nation,  the  high  sense  they  entertain 
of  the  honour  he  has  conferred  upon  them  by  his  pre 
sence  at  this  time,  and  sincerely  participate  in  the 
feelings,  which  have  been  so  universally  manifested  on 
his  visit  to  our  city,  and  most  cordially  tender  him  their 
best  wishes  for  his  health  and  happiness." 

The  President  was  admitted  as  a  member  of  this  So 
ciety.  At  the  same  time  the  three  ex-Presidents, 
JOHN  ADA-MS,  THOMAS  JEFFERSON,  and  JAMES  MADI- 


99 

SON,  were  also  admitted.  Mr.  MONROE  acknowledged 
the  honour  conferred  upon  him,  with  his  usual  digni 
fied  affability  ;  and  the  letters  of  his  predecessors  in 
office,  returning  thanks  to,  and  expressive  of  their 
deep  interest  in,  the  success  of  the  society,  are  al 
ready  before  the  public. 

The  city  of  New-York  cannot  be  minutely  described 
in  this  work.  The  remark,  however,  cannot  be  omit 
ted,  that  it  is  the  pride  of  American  merchants,  and  the 
great  resort  of  the  enterprising  sons  of  commerce  from 
every  part  of  the  Atlantic  States.  It  is  the  pivot  upon 
which  American  commerce  turns  ;  dispensing  to  every 
part  of  North  and  South  America,  the  products  of  almost 
every  climate.  Within  its  bosom  the  traveller  sees  the 
natives  of  every  commercial  country,  and  hears  almost 
every  living  language  spoken  !  It  is  a  world  in  minia 
ture  ;  but  admirably  regulated  by  the  excellence  and 
energy  of  its  police.  It  is  the  capital  of  the  p resent 
capital  state  of  the  Union.  Its  public  buildings  unite 
magnificence,  beauty  and  utility.  The  City  Hall,  if  re 
garded  for  the  beauty  of  its  architecture,  or  the  dura 
bility  of  its  materials,  stands  unrivalled  in  the  Western^ 
and  scarcely  excelled  in  the  Eastern  world.  Foreign 
ers,  in  passing  through  Broadway,  will  wonder  why  Ame 
ricans  exceed  their  countrymen  as  much  in  the  science 
ef  architecture,  as  they  do  in  all  their  public  institu 
tions.  The  city  is  built  upon  Manhatten  island,  at  the 
junction  of  Hudson  and  East  rivers.  A  capacious  bay 
spreads  to  the  southward  of  it,  interspersed  with  islands 
forming  a  capacious  harbour.  From  this  harbour  its 
thousands  of  vessels  depart  to  the  Southward,  through 
theNarrows  ;  to  the  Eastward,  through  the  Sound  ;  and 


100  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

to  the  Northward,  up  the  noble  Hudson.  They  return 
again  to  their  native  waters,  laden  with  the  products  of 
the  four  continents  of  the  world.  The  magnitude  of  its 
commerce,  makes  the  Tourist  almost  overlook  the  na 
tural  beauty  of  its  situation.  But  the  eye  that  can  view 
this  place  from  Hudson's  Square,  the  Park,  and  the 
Battery,  with  indifference,  must  be  blind  to  the  sublime 
views  of  nature,  and  incapable  of  beaming  with  delight, 
at  beholding  the  most  finished  productions  of  art. 
Thirty-eight  edifices  for  the  public  worship  of  the  De 
ity,  show  that  the  people  of  New-York,  while  they  en 
joy  all  the  blessings  that  wealth  can  impart,  are  not  un 
mindful  of  that  bounteous  Providence  who  enables  them 
to  participate  so  abundantly  in  these  blessings.  The 
public  buildings  of  different  kinds,  cannot  be  minutely 
described  in  this  little  work  ;  but  suffice  it  to  say,  they 
are  all  admirably  well  calculated  for  the  purpose  for 
which  they  were  erected. 

The  Hudson  is  the  noblest  stream  in  the  Middle, 
Northern,  and  Eastern  States.  The  immense  impor 
tance  of  its  navigation,  has  called  the  inventive  facul 
ties  of  man  into  operation  upon  the  most  important 
subject,  that  ever  exercised  mechanical  ingenuity  ;  the 
navigation  of  rapid  streams.  The  invention  of  Steam 
Boats  forms  an  era  in  the  progress  of  the  useful  arts  ; 
and  the  name  of  FULTON  will  be  handed  down  to  poste 
rity  as  one  of  the  benefactors  of  man.  The  canal  now 
constructing  to  unite  the  waters  of  the  western  Lakes, 
with  that  of  the  Hudson,  is  one  of  the  grandest  schemes 
ever  conceived,  and,  when  accomplished,  the  greatest 
ever  .executed.  The  President,  while  in  this  place, 
from  his  limited  tarry,  could  hardly  estimate  the  impor- 


PRESIDENTS 


tance  of  it  to  his  extensive  native  fiounfry.  nis  atten 
tion  was  particularly  directed  to  the  best  mode  of  de 
fending  it  from  an  enemy  ;  and  his  admiration  was  ex- 
cited  to  the  highest  elevation,  when  viewing  the  works 
which  arose,  as  by  magic,  by  the  voluntary  labours  of  its 
patriotic  citizens.  This  place  was  settled  by  the  Dutch 
in  1614  ;  obtained  its  charter  in  1686,  and  contains 
100,000  inhabitants. 

He  took  his  departure  from  this  place  upon  the  21st, 
in  the  Steam  Boat  Connecticut,  Capt.  Bunker,  and  ar 
rived  at  New-Haven,  in  the  State  of  CONNECTICUT,  up 
on  the  same  day. 

This  was  the  first  place  he  visited  in  NEW-ENGLAND. 

Upon  arriving  in  this  section  of  the  Union,  the  Pres 
ident,  whose  education,  pursuits,  and  habits,  have  led 
him  to  view  things  upon  an  extended  scale,  could  not 
suppress  the  reflection  that  he  had  arrived  amongst  a 
peculiar  people.  The  faithful  pen  of  history  had  ena 
bled  him  to  trace  their  origin  and  progress  from  the 
barbarous  ages  of  antiquity,  down  to  the  nineteenth 
century. 

They  owe  their  origin  to  the  ancient  Saxons,  the 
most  brave,  magnanimous,  warlike  and  jealous  of  all 
the  ancient  tribes  that  once  composed  the  "  Northern 
Hive"  of  Europe.  They  composed  the  van  of  that 
myriad,  who  in  the  fifth  century  precipitated  themselves 
upon  the  Grecian  and  Roman  empires,  and  entirely  sub 
verted  them.  Whatever  this  tribe  might  have  been  in  the 
dark  ages  of  the  world  ;  however  gross  might  have  been 
their  idolatry,  or  blind  their  superstition  ;  from  them 
Englishmen  and  Americans  have  descended. 

Originally  unrestrained  by  the  positive  institutions  of 
I  2 


;  1,0$  P5tESIDJWrTS    TOUR. 

civilized  society,  centuries  rolled  over  their  heads 
before  they  could  be  brought  to  submit  to  regular  gov 
ernment.  Possessing  themselves  of  those  countries 
which  now  constitute  the  British  empire  in  Europe,  it 
was  not,  until  the  reign  of  the  great  Alfred,  that  they 
were  brought  to  blend  the  rights  of  man,  in  a  state  of 
nature,  with  the  salutary  restraints  of  law.  They  sur 
rendered  a  portion  of  their  rights,  that  the  remainder 
might  be  enjoyed  in  security. 

The  aspiring  ambition  of  Feudal  chiefs  began  to  en 
croach  upon  the  rights  they  were  bound  to  protect.  A 
long  succession  of  princes  kept  constantly  assuming 
new  prerogatives  ;  and  as  they  augmented  their  pow 
er,  the  privileges  of  the  people  were  diminished.  In 
the  sixteenth  century,  the  subjects  of  the  British  crown 
had  but  few  rights  remaining;  and  amongst  them,  was 
that  of  emigration.  The  ancestors  of  New-England- 
ers,  remembering  their  exalted  origin,  and  determining 
no  longer  to  be  the  degraded  vassals  of  a  perverted 
power,  conceived  and  executed  the  perilous  undertak 
ing  of  seeking  in  a  distant  world,  the  enjoyments  of 
those  liberties  and  privileges,  of  which  they  were  de 
prived,  in  the  land  of  their  nativity.  They  landed  as 
pilgrims  upon  the  Rock  of  Plymouth.  They  encoun 
tered  and  overcame  every  obstacle,  which  a  severe 
climate,  ferocious  savages,  and  wasting  sickness,  pre 
sented  to  their  view.  The  wilderness,  by  their  un 
ceasing  industry,  was  converted  into  productive  fields  ; 
the  ocean,  by  their  daring  enterprise,  was  whitened  by 
their  canvass.  The  classical  and  eloquent  Burke  dar 
ed  to  pronounce  their  eulogy  before  their  oppressors 
in  the  revolutionary  struggle,  in  his  gigantic  effort  to 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  103 

produce  "  conciliation"  between  the  British  crown, 
and  the  American  colonies.  They  became  the  object 
and  the  wonder  of  the  old  world,  and  excited  the  jeal 
ousy  of  their  mother  country,  the  powerful  mistress  of 
the  ocean.  But  acknowledging  no  superior  but  the 
God  of  the  Universe,  and  resolving  that  the  last  piece 
of  the  soil  of  freedom  that  should  be  wrested  from  them 
should  be  their  graves,  they  nobly  dared  resistance. 
The  blood  of  their  brethren  was  shed  upon  the  fields 
they  cultivated  ;  and  with  one  accord,  they  changed 
the  harmless  implements  of  husbandry,  for  hostile 
weapons,  to  repel  the  invaders  of  a  country  "  dearly 
their  own."  Conquest  hung  upon  the  banners  of  her 
embattled  sons,  and  her  plains  and  mountains  echoed 
with  the  shouts  of  victory.  They  covered  themselves 
with  glory,  and  conquered  a  peace.  They  witness 
ed  the  establishment  of  a  constitution  securing  their 
rights. 

Then  commenced  the  progress  of  her  commercial 
and  navigating  glory.  Her  sons  Avere  seen  in  every 
clime  ;  from  China  to  California,  from  the  arctic  to  the 
antartic  circle.  While  the  nations  of  the  old  world 
were  contending  for  dominion,  the  enterprising  sons  of 
JVeTiy  England  became  the  carriers  for  the  world.  Sud 
den  wealth  was  the  fruit  of  their  unparalleled  exer 
tions.  Its  gaudy  charms  dazzled  their  eyes  and  increas 
ed  their  importance.  The  luxuries  attendant  upon  the 
possession  of  it  was  calculated  to  enervate  their  minds, 
and  to  make  them  forget  that  individual  wealth  is  the 
property  of  THE  REPUBLIC,  when  necessary  for  the 
security  of  its  liberty  and  independence.  Rome  did 
not  lose  her  freedom,  till  the  boundless  wealth  and  lux- 


104  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

urious  refinements  of  Greece,  made  her  citizens  for 
get  the  glory  of  the  Republic  in  the  sordid  attachment 
to  wealth.  ^ 

"  That  wealth  too  precious  for  their  country's  use — - 
**  That  wealth  too  sacred  to  be  lost  for  freedom." 

The  belligerent  powers  of  Europe  commenced  a  se 
ries  of  encroachments  upon  the  rights  of  the  American 
Republic.  The  council  of  the  nation  deemed  the 
"  restrictive  system"  expedient ;  but  the  wealthy  mer 
chants  of  New-England  could  not  be  brought  to  approve 
of  a  measure  which  checked  the  rapid  accumulation  of 
wealth.  A  war  was  deemed  by  the  same  council  to  be 
just,  necessary,  and  expedient ;  but  the  men  of  princely 
fortunes,  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  the  managers  of 
monied  institutions,  denounced  a  measure  which  pre 
vented  them  from  adding  to  it,  and  calling  upon  them  to 
expend  a  portion  of  it  for  the  defence  of  the  Republic. 
The  legislatures  of  the  New-England  States,  alarmed, 
lest  the  national  government  should  encroach  upon 
those  of  the  States,  convert  the  nation  into  a  military 
government,  and  change  her  citizens  to  soldiers,  mani 
fested  their  opposition  to  many  of  the  war-measures  of 
Congress,  and  to  those  of  JAMES  MONROE,  Secretary  at 
War,  during  the  most  dangerous  period  of  it. 

Although  this  opposition  might  have  increased  the 
insolence  of  a  haughty  foe,  and  alarmed  many  of  the 
friends  of  American  freedom,  it  may  not  be  without  a 
salutary  effect.  It  may  serve  to  show  that  the  confed 
erated  States,  possessing  each  the  right  of  self-govern 
ment,  have  nevertheless  a  national  authority  sufficient 
to  call  forth  all  the  resources  of  the  Union,  and  secure 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  105 

all  its  rights  against  an  ambitious  and  powerful  enemy. 
It  may  serve  also,  to  show  that  the  state  governments 
will  always  have  a  watchful  eye  over  the  supreme 
power  of  the  nation. 

When  a  glorious  peace  was  made,  and  the  vastly  im 
portant  services  of  the  then  Secretary  at  War,  were  duly 
appreciated,  when  he  became  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES,  and  announced  his  intention  of  exploring  the 
Northern  and  Eastern  section  of  the  Union,  the  whole 
population,  by  common  consent,  resolved  to  show  the 
President  that  distinguished  respect  which  "  his  private 
-virtues  and  public  services"  justly  entitled  him  to  re 
ceive.  This  was  not  inconsistent  with  the  most  decid 
ed  opposition  amongst  the  people  upon  political  sub 
jects.  However  desirable  unanimity  of  sentiment  up* 
on  moral  and  religious  subjects  may  be,  the  history  of 
the  world  incontestibly  proves  that  an  union  of  parties 
upon  political  ^subjects,  is  the  sure  forerunner  of  despo 
tism.  There  are  no  parties  in  China,  none  in  Turkey, 
none  in  Russia,  and  there  is  no  freedom.  Opposition, 
in  England,  has  preserved  the  few  rights  which  Eng 
lishmen  now  possess.  Opposition,  in  America,  may  be 
the  means  of  preserving  the  full  fruition  of  enjoyments 
which  Americans,  by  the  blessing  of  Providence,  and 
their  own  firmness  so  happily  enjoy. 

The  capacious  mind  of  the  President,  must  have 
been  fully  aware  of  the  right  of  the  people  to  oppose 
peaceably  his  political  system  ;  but  he  knew  they  were 
all  his  fellow  citizens  ;  and  all  entitled  to  the  protec 
tion  of  the  government  over  which  he  presided  ;  and 
it  must  have  been  doubly  gratifying  to  him,  to  see  his 
political  opponents,  as  well  as  his  political  friends,  tes- 


106  PRESIDENT'S  TOXJR. 

iifying  unto  him  the  marked  and  distinguished  attention 
he  received. 

fFor  the  following  happy  production,  1  am  indebted  I'Q 
some  genius  to  me  unknown.] 

NEW  ENGLAND. 

WHEN  our  fathers  of  yore  hove  in  sight  of  the  shore, 

And  the  sailors  were  first  heard  to  sing,  Land, 
From  their  cabin  so  hamper'd,  on  deck  they  all  scamper' J, 

To  take  the  first  peep  at  New-England  : 
The  rough,  rugged  shores  of  New-England, 

The  wild  woods  and  Rocks  of  New-England, 
So  pleased  with  the  view,  they  directly  hove  too, 

And  they  caper'd  ashore  in  New-England. 

They  tore  up  the  soil,  with  abundance  of  toil, 

And  they  soon  made  a  beautiful  green  land, 
And  they  planted  a  tree,  which  they  eall'd  Liberty, 

In  Ihe  generous  soil  of  New-England  : 
It  flourish'd  and  grew  in  New-England  : 

Its  branches  spread  over  New-England  : 
And  under  its  shadow,  our  fathers  have  had  O  ! 
The  richest  of  joys  in  New-England. 

But  Mr.  John  Bull,  who  would  lord  it  full, 

Came  out  in  a  rage  from  Old  England  ; 
And  sw»re  that  this  tree.no  longer  should  he 

Found  growing  so  high,  in  New-England  . 
That  it  never  belong'd  to  New-England  : 

Though  it  already  bloom'd  in  New-England  ; 
So  we  soon  carne  to  blows  ;  with  a  huge  bloody  nose, 

He  was  glad  to  pack  off  from  New-England. 

~vText  came  monsieur  Frank,  all  so  nimble  and  crank, 

Who  thought  o'er  the  world  he  should  swing  hand  : 
From  rabble  and  robbery,  to  kick  up  a  bobbery, 

'Mongst  the  puaceable  folks  of  New-England  : 
To  sow  his  wild  oats  in  New-England  : 

To  sap  the  fair  tree  of  New- England  : 
To  our  tight  little  Navy,  he  soon  cried  pecavi, 

And  he  caper'd  away  from  Ntrw- England. 

Now  we've  peace  all  around,  and  with  joy  we  abound^ 
Our  rights  are  secui'd  in  this  free  land  / 


PRESIDENT'S  TOILR.  1®$ 

We're  all  DOTV  united,  we're  highly  delighted 

With  the  manners  and  men  of  New-England  • 
With  the  clams  ^nd  the  fish  of  New-England  : 

The  Rivers  and  Brooks  of  New-England  : 
And  our  Army  and  Navy,  will  send  to  Old  Davy, 

The  foes  to  the  rights  of  New-England. 

The  manner  of  his  reception  at  New-Haven,  was 
evincive  of  the  sincerest  respect. 

"  The  Committee,  apprised  of  the  disposition  of 
His  Excellency  the  Governour  of  Connecticut,  to 
manifest  a  respectful  attention  to  the  President  while  in 
the  state,  and  of  his  intention  to  meet  him  at  New- 
Haven,  requested  permission  to  escort  him  to  town. 
In  connection  with  a  large  concourse  of  their  fellow 
citizens,  they  met  him  accordingly  on  Wednesday, 
three  miles  from  the  city,'  and  escorted  him  to  his  lodg 
ings.  The  procession  was  conducted  in  a  handsome 
style  ;  was  a  token  of  respect  entertained  by  the  citi 
zens  for  their  Chief  Magistrate,  and  was  a  happy  pre 
sage  of  the  cordial  welcome  about  to  be  given  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States. 

On  the  21st,  in  the  afternoon,  the  President  arrived 
in  the  Steam  Boat  Connecticut,  Capt.  Bunker.  The 
day  was  unusually  fine,  and  the  whole  city  and  adjacent 
country  were  alive  on  the  occasion.  The  shipping 
displayed  their  colours  at  an  early  hour. 

The  approach  of  the  President  was  announced  by  a 
national  salute  from  the  revenue  cutter,  Capt.  Lee, 
when  the  boat  arrived  in  the  mouth  of  the  harbour  ; 
this  was  succeeded  by  a  salute  from  fort  Hale,  under 
the  charge  of  Lieuts.  Dickinson  and  Munn  on  the  East, 
and  from  Capt.  Ward's  brig  on  the  West  side  of  the 
bay,  and  then  followed  by  a  salute  from  Capt.  Blake's 


108  PRESIDENT'S   TOUR. 

company  of  State  Artillery,  stationed  near  the  Steam 
Boat  Hotel.  A  large  concourse  of  people  were  assem 
bled  on  the  adjacent  shore,  and  while  all  were  mani 
festly  anxious  to  "  catch  the  joys"  of  the  scene,  the  ut 
most  harmony  and  good  order  prevailed. 

Nathaniel  Rossiter,  Esq.  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  New- 
Haven,  and  Robert  Fairchild,  Esq.  Marshal  of  the 
District  of  Connecticut,  acting  as  Marshals  of  the  day, 
immediately  proceeded  on  board  the  Steam  Boat,  and 
signified  to  the  President  the  request  of  the  Committee 
to  show  him  their  respects  in  behalf  of  their  fellow 
citizens.  The  Committee,  conducted  by  the  Marshals, 
were  introduced  to  the  President,  by  Abraham  Bishop, 
Esq.  Collector  of  the  Port,  when  the  Hon.  Mr.  Good 
rich,  Mayor  of  the  City,  and  Chairman  of  the  Com 
mittee,  in  an  appropriate,  oral  address,  in  the  name  and 
behalf  of  his  fellow  citizens,  welcomed  the  Chief  Ma 
gistrate  of  the  United  States  to  the  city  of  New-Haven  ; 
tendered  him  their  congratulations  on  the  interesting 
occasion,  and  requested  him  to  accept  the  escort  of 
Maj.  Prescott's  Company  of  Governour's  Horse  Guards, 
and  that  the  Committee  and  their  fellow  citizens  might 
be  permitted  to  accompany  him  to  his  lodgings.  The 
demonstrations  of  respect  manifested  by  the  Commit 
tee,  were  reciprocated  in  an  elegant  manner  by  the 
President. 

The  Mayor,  preceded  by  the  Marshals  and  their  As 
sistants,  then  waited  upon  him  from  the  boat  to  the 
shore,  attended  by  his  suite,  consisting  of  Brigadier 
General  Swift,  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  and  Super- 
intendant  of  the  Military  Academy  of  the  U.  States, 
and  Mr.  Mason,  his  private  Secretary.  On  his  land- 


FRESIDKNT'S  TOU&.  10y 

ing,  the  Horse-Guards  received  him  in  an  handsome 
style  ;  and  as  he  passed  to  the  carriage  prepared  for 
his  reception,  attended  by  the  Committee,  Captain 
Blake's  Artillery,  having  formed  on  the  bridge  without 
their  pieces,  saluted  him  in  a  manner  which  did  them 
honour. 

The  procession  was  under  the  superintendance  of 
the  Marshals  of  the  day,  and  of  Col.  S.  P.  Staples, 
Major  Luther  Bradley,  Nathan  Peck,  and  Henry  W. 
Edwards,  Esqrs.  who  acted  as  Assistant  Marshals,  and 
was  peculiarly  distinguished  for  order,  regularity,  and 
decency  of  arrangement. 

Major  Prescott's  Horse-Guards  formed  the  military 
escort  in  advance  of  the  President,  who  was  in  a  coach, 
attended  by  the  gentlemen  of  his  suite  ;  the  Marshals 
of  the  day  accompanying  his  carriage.  The  Commit 
tee,  and  a  numerous  collection  of  citizens  from  various 
parts  of  the  state,  made  up  the  escort.  The  bells 
rung  a  peal  during  the  ceremonies. 

On  Saturday  morning,  the  President  paid  an  early 
visit  to  the  manufactory  of  Eli  Whitney,  Esq.  erected 
for  the  fabrication  of  fire  arms  ;  an  institution  which, 
we  understand,  has  at  all  times  been  encouraged  by  his 
patronage,  and  which,  on  examination,  it  is  presumed, 
has  lost  nothing  in  his  estimation. 

Soon  after  his  return  he  visited  the  Colleges,  attend 
ed  by  the  President  elect,  the  Professors,  and  many 
gentlemen  of  distinction,  minutely  examined  the  Li 
brary,  Chemical  Laboratory,  Philosophical  Chamber, 
and  the  elegant  Cabinet  of  Minerals,  deposited  by  Col. 
George  Gibbs. 

The   Governour's   Horse  and  Foot  Guards,    Col-. 
K 


110  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

Hoadley's  Regiment  of  Flying  Artillery,  Capt.  Blake's 
Company  of  State  Artillery,  and  Capt.  Staples'  Com 
pany  of  Light  Infantry,  assembled  at  an  early  hour  in 
honour  of  the  occasion.  They  were  formed  for  review 
in  a  handsome  style  ;  the  Horse  Guards  and  Col.  Hoad 
ley's  Regiment  on  the  right  ;  the  Foot  Guards  and 
Capt.  Staples'  Company  on  theJeft,  and  Capt.  Blake's 
Artillery  in  the  centre,  and  were  reviewed  by  the  Pre 
sident  at  12  o'clock.  Their  appearance  was  such  as  to 
do  them  much  credit. 

The  presence  of  the  Governour  and  Lieut.  Govern- 
•ur  did  honour  to  the  occasion  ;  they  accompanied  the 
President  in  the  various  exhibitions  of  the  day.  In  the 
evening,  the  Committee  in  behalf  of  their  fellow  citi 
zens,  expressed  to  him  the  high  sense  they  entertain 
ed  of  his  visit,  with  their  best  wishes  for  his  individual 
prosperity,  and  a  successful  discharge  of  the  duties  of 
his  exalted  station." 

The  classical  mind  of  the  President  must  have  been 
exhilirated  upon  his  entrance  into  this  delightful  city. 
In  viewing  the  renowned  University  of  Yale,  and  in 
specting  the  Library,  Chemical  Laboratory,  Philosoph 
ical  Apparatus,  and  the  Cabinet  of  Minerals,  he  could 
but  remember,  that  at  this  seminary,  under  the  emi 
nent  Presidents  and  Professors  of  it,  many  of  the  youths 
of  his  native  state,  here  laid  the  foundation  of  useful 
ness  to  the  public,  and  eminence  to  themselves.  In 
viewing  the  ancient  State-House,  he  must  have  remem 
bered  the  catalogue  of  eminent  Connecticut  Govern- 
ours,  who  had  therein  presided  over  the  deliberations 
of  her  Assemblies.  He  was  accompanied  by  the  pre 
sent  Chief  Magistrate  of  that  State,  OLIVER  WOLCOTT, 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  Ill 

who  had  many  years  before  gone  hand  in  hand  with 
him  in  the  Council  and  Cabinet  of  the  nation.  When 
beholding  the  elegant  edifices  for  public  worship,  and 
worshipping  in  one  of  them  himself,  he  must  have  be 
lieved  that  the  people  remembered  with  adoration 
that  Being,  who  planted  the  vine  and  still  sustains  it.* 
In  casting  his  eyes  along  the  extended  wharf,  he  must 
have  been  convinced  that  the  enterprise  of  man  some- 
limes  overcomes  a  natural  disadvantage.  This  city  is 
situated  at  the  head  of  a  small  bay,  in  Long-Island 
Sound.  Its  population,  including  the  town,  was,  in 
1810,  7000. 

Upon  the  23d,  at  an  early  hour,  the  President  left 
this  city  ;  and  as  he  passed  through  the  country  from 
thence  to  Middletown,  he  was  sensibly  struck  with  the 
perpetual  succession  of  farm  houses  and  cottages  ;  re 
marking,  upon  his  arrival  upon  the  banks  of  Connecti 
cut  river,  that  "  he  was  not,  upon  his  passage,  without 
rhe  sight  of  an  house  at  any  time,  and  most  of  the  time 
within  sight  of  many." 

"  At  Durham,  six  miles  south,  he  was  met  by  a  large 
and  respectable  Committee,  together  with  a  number  of 
citizens,  and  a  Company  of  Cavalry,  who  escorted  him 
to  this  place.  Upon  his  approach  to  the  town,  he  was 
received  by  several  Companies  of  Infantry,  and  a  large 
concourse  of  the  inhabitants.  He  was  mounted  on  an 
elegant  white  horse,  provided  for  the  occasion  ;  and  as 
he  rode  along,  the  unaffected  truly  republican  simplicity 
of  his  deportment,  attracted  for  our  Chief  Magistrate 

:  The  motto  of  the  arms  of  Connecticut,  is  "  Qui 
transtulit,  sustinet." 


112  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

that  spontaneous  tribute  of  respect,  which  many  u 
crowned  head  may  wish  for,  but  can  never  hope  to  re 
ceive.  The  highest  officer  of  our  Republic,  passing 
through  a  section  of  the  country  which  he  had  never 
before  beheld,  with  all  the  plainness  of  a  private  citizen, 
requiring  no  attention,  but  every  where  met  by  volun 
tary  demonstrations  of  attachment,  presented  a  specta 
cle  deeply  interesting,  and  morally  sublime. 

After  breakfast,  the  President  took  a  survey  of  dif 
ferent  manufacturing  establishments  in  the  town,  and 
its  vicinity.  He  visited  the  pistol  manufactory  of  Messrs. 
Norths,  the  sword  manufactory  of  Messrs.  Starrs,  and 
Mr.  Johnson's  manufactory  of  rifles,  that  species  of 
arms  in  the  use  of  which  Americans  particularly  excel,, 
and  which,  aided  by  the  energetic  measures  of  Mr. 
Monroe,  contributed  so  much  to  our  glorious  victory  at 
New-Orleans.  The  President,  and  General  Swift, 
were  so  highly  pleased  with  the  specimens  of  Messrs. 
Starr's  workmanship,  that  they  each  procured  one  of 
their  beautiful  swords,  which  for  temper  and  proof  are 
probably  superior  to  any  made  in  Europe. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  President  was  accompanied  on 
his  way  to  Hartford,  for  three  or  four  miles,  by  a  large 
number  of  citizens,  many  of  whom,  together  with  a 
troop  of  Horse,  escorted  him  as  far  as  Wether sfield,  (12 
miles  from  that  place)  where  they  were  met  by  the  in 
habitants  and  military  of  that  town,  arid  of  Hartford, 
who  conducted  him  to  that  city  in  a  very  handsome 
style. 

In  Middletown  there  are  now  living  but  two  officers 
who  served  in  the  army  of  the  American  revolution. 
The  President,  whose  gallantry  in  that  service  is  test- 


113 

ed  by  honourable  wounds,  was  particularly  attentive 
to  them  both,  and  feelingly  recognized,  as  an  acquain 
tance  during  the  revolutionary  war,  one  of  them  who 
is  now  broken  down  by  infirmities  and  age. 

If  the  reception  of  the  President  cannot  vie  in  splen 
dour  with  that  of  large  cities,  we  may  yet  venture  to 
assert  that  few  other  places  have  welcomed  him  with 
more  cordiality  and  respect." 

The  city  of  Middletovvn  is  situated  upon  the  west 
bank  of  Connecticut  river,  about  thirty-five  miles  from 
its  mouth.  The  scite  of  this  place  forms  a  kind  of 
amphitheatre  ;  upon  the  western  and  northern  borders 
of  which,  a  delightful  view  of  it  is  presented  to  the  eye 
of  the  traveller.  There  are  no  magnificent  private 
mansions,  nor  any  gorgeous  public  buildings  to  attract 
attenion  ;  but  every  object  is  an  indication  of  industry  and 
comfort ;  and  the  manners  and  deportment  of  it?  citizens^ 
shew  their  refinement  and  hospitality.  Although  remov 
ed  from  the  immediate  danger  of  invasion,  its  enterpris 
ing  citizens  are  constantly  furnishing  rifles,  swords  and 
pistols,  for  the  defence  of  their  common  country.  The 
woolen  manufactory  here,  under  the  direction  of  Alex 
ander  Wolcott,  Esq.  Collector  of  the  Port,  will  vie  with 
the  first  in  the  Union.  In  this  city,  is  the  neat  and  ele 
gant  residence  of  the  Hero  of  Champlain,  where  he  can. 
retire,  crowned  with  the  laurels  of  war,  into  the  delight 
ful  scenes  of  domestic  peace.  In  this  city  is  established 
a  branch  of  the  National  Bank.  Its  population,  in  1810, 
was  a  little  over  2000. 

The  President  left  this  city  upon  the  23d,  in  the  af 
ternoon,  accompanied  by  Gen.  SWIFT,  his  private  Sec 
retary,  Mr.    MASON,  and  Gen.  HUMPHREY,  ooce  the 
K  2 


4  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR, 

Aid-de-camp  of  WASHINGTON,  and  afterwards  the  Bi 
ographer  of  PUTNAM.  Upon  his  arrival  at  Wether  sfi  eld, 
he  found  a  large  collection  of  citizens  ready  to  greet 
his  arrival.  But  their  acclamations  could  not  drive 
from  his  recollection  his  early  congressional  friend,  the 
Hon.  STEPHEN  Mix  MITCHELL,  a  resident  there,  who 
had  recently  retired  from  the  office  of  Chief  Justice 
of  Connecticut.  He  paid  him  a  visit  ;  and  although 
the  frost  of  age  was  visible  upon  their  honoured  heads, 
their  hearts  warmed  into  fervour  upon  meeting,  after  a 
long  absence.  The  interview  was  short,  but  delightful. 
The  President  proceeded  toward  the  city  of  Hartford  ; 
and  at  about  a  mile  south  of  the  city,  he  and  his  suite 
left  their  carriage,  and,  elegantly  mounted  on  horse 
back,  approached  it. 

His  reception,  in  this  place,  did  credit  to  the  taste 
and  patriotism  of  the  citizens. 

On  Monday,  the  23d,  from  previous  arrangement, 
the  first  Company  of  the  Governour's  Horse  Guards, 
under  the  command  of  Maj.  Buck,  repaired  to  Weth- 
ersfield,  about  four  miles  from  this  city,  to  receive  the 
President.  A  large  concourse  of  citizens  from  this  and 
the  neighbouring  towns,  also  assembled  there,  and  es 
corted  the  President  to  the  south  green  in  this  city, 
where  the  H-irtford  Artillery,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Ripley  ;  the  East  Hertford  Artillery,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Olmsted  ;  the  Simsbury  Artillery,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Humphrey  ;  the  whole  commanded  by  Col. 
Johnson,  fired  a  national  salute.  He  was  then  received 
by  the  first  Company  of  the  Governour's  Foot  Guards, 
commanded  by  Major  Goodwin  ;  Capt.  Johnson's, 
Capt.  Wadsworth's,  Capt.  Rockwell's,  Capt,  Ells- 


tRESI»ENT3 

worths,  and  Capt.  Brown's  Infantry  Companies,  under 
the  command  .of  Col.  Loomis,  and  a  detachment  of  Cav 
alry,  under  command  of  Col.  Gleason  ;  and  the  whole  of 
the  immense  assemblage  of  soldiers  and  citizens,  escort 
ed  the  President  over  the  city  bridge,  which  was  ele 
gantly  ornamented  with  three  lofty  arches,  thrown  over 
it,  composed  of  evergreen  and  laurel,  in  imitation  of 
the  triumphal  arches  of  Rome,  under  which  the  bene 
factors  of  the  Commonwealth  passed. 

From  the  centre  arch  was  suspended  a  label,  "  March 
4th,  1817."  As  the  President  passed  the  bridge,  he 
was  in  a  most  animated  manner,  cheered  by  the  citi 
zens.  An  elegant  flag  waved  over  the  arches,  with  the 
letter  M  ;  it  being  the  same  letter  reversed,  which  on 
election  day  meant  WOLCOTT. 

He  was  escorted  by  this  numerous  assemblage  to 
Morgan's  Coffee  House,  where  he  recived  the  congra 
tulations  and  the  address  of  the  citizens  delivered  by 
John  Morgan,  Esq.  senior  Alderman  ;  to  which  he 
gave  an  elegant,  appropriate,  and  impressive  answer. 
He  then,  with  General  Swift,  and  his  private  Secretary, 
Mr.  Mason,  reviewed  the  elegant  line  of  troops  drawn 
up  in  Main-Street.  He  soon  after  visited  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  Asylum,  expressed  his  admiration  of  the  astonish 
ing  progress  of  the  pupils,  and  retired  to  his  lodgings 
amidst  the  most  numerous  collection  of  soldiers  and  cit 
izens  ever  witnessed  in  Hartford.  The  whole  was  an 
unequivocal  expression  of  public  sentiment.  It  shews 
that  James  Monroe  is  the  man  whom  "  the  people  delight 
to  honour." 


116  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

TJie  following  is  the  address  delivered  to  the  President. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  pleasing  duty  has  devolved  on  us  of  pre 
senting  you  the  congratulations  of  the  citizens  of  Hart 
ford,  on  your  arrival  in  this  city.  It  is  with  sentiments 
of  regard  for  private  worth,  no  less  than  respect  for 
official  dignity,  that  the  personal  presence  of  the  first 
Magistrate  of  our  Nation  is  associated. 

The  endearing  relation  which  suhsists  between  the 
people  of  a  free  country  and  their  political  father  and 
guide,  is  peculiarly  fitted  to  cherish  and  ennoble  these 
sentiments. 

It  is  no  less  our  happiness,  sir,  than  yours,  that  your 
administration  has  commenced  at  a  period  gilded  by  the 
recent  exploits  of  our  Army  and  Navy,  and  at  the  same 
time  enjoying  the  tranquillity  and  security  of  peace  ; 
when  full  scope  is  given  to  the  enterprize,  industry  and 
skill  of  our  citizens,  in  the  employments  of  agriculture 
and  manufactures  ;  when  the  pursuits  of  science,  and 
the  cultivation  of  the  arts  of  civilized  life  are  encourag 
ed  by  their  appropriate  rewards  ;  and  when  the  spirit 
of  party,  with  its  concomitant  jealousies  and  misrepre 
sentations,  no  longer  "  render  alien  to  each  other,  those 
who  ought  to  be  bound  together  by  paternal  affection. " 
We  anticipate  in  your  administration,  commenced  un 
der  such  auspices,  and  blessed  with  the  smiles  of  Him, 
"  whose  dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion  ;"  a  peri 
od  of  glory  to  our  country,  and  of  honour  to  yourself. 

The  State  of  Connecticut,  as  she  was  among  the  first 
to  adopt  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  so  will 
she  always  be  among  its  most  firm  and  zealous  suppor 
ters. 

The  people  of  this  State,  while  they  cherish  a  high 
spirit  of  freedom,  are,  from  the  force  of  our  institutions 
and  habits,  distinguished  also  for  their  love  of  order  and 
submission  to  the  laws.  In  pursuing  a  policy,  which, 
as  we  confidently  expect,  will  give  the  best  effect  to 
the  principles  of  our  government  ;  establishing  com 
merce  upon  a  permanent  basis,  render  us  strong  and  in- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  117 

dependent  ;  confer  on  us  a  distinct  and  elevated  nation 
al  character  ;  and  secure  to  our  country  those  high  ad 
vantages,  which  seem  destined  for  her  by  Providence, 
you  may  be  assured  of  an  hearty  support. 

May  Heaven  grant,  Sir,  that  your  life  may  be  long 
and  happy  ;  and  that  the  freedom  and  independence  of 
our  country  may  be  perpetual. 

JOHN  MORGAN, 

In  behalf  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  Common  Coun 
cil,  and  Freemen  of  the  city  of  Hartford. 
HARTFORD,  June  23,  1817. 

To  which  the  President  made  the  following  Reply  : 

To  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common  Council  of  the 
City  of  Hartford. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  ; 

I  beg  you  to  accept  my  grateful  acknowledgement* 
for  the  favourable  sentiments  which  you  have  express 
ed  towards  me,  and  the  kind  and  friendly  manner  in 
which  you  have  received  me.  No  one  can  take  more 
interest  than  I  do  in  the  present  prosperous  and  happy 
condition  of  our  country.  Having  witnessed  two  wars, 
attended  with  imminent  distress,  and  which  made  a  se 
vere  trial  of  our  institutions,  I  see,  with  the  most  heart 
felt  satisfaction,  the  happy  consequences  attending  our 
exertions,  and  which  you  have  so  justly  described  in 
the  review  which  you  have  taken  of  them.  Blessed 
with  peace,  agriculture,  the  arts,  and  commerce  flour 
ishing  ;  jealousies  subsiding,  and  our  bond  of  union 
daily  gaining  strength,  our  situation  is  peculiarly  hap 
py,  and  the  prospect  of  its  long  continuance  the  most 
flattering.  In  a  State  where  the  arts  and  sciences  are 
so  happily  cultivated,  and  which  has  evinced  so  strong 
an  attachment  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  full  confidence  is 
entertained,  that  it  will  always  be  found  among  the 
most  zealous  supporters  of  that  cause,  and  of  our  most 
excellent  Constitution. 

JAMES  MONROE. 


118  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

The  city  of  Hartford  was  the  first  place  upon  the 
river  Connecticut,  in  the' interior,  where  a  permanent 
settlement  was  made  by  Europeans.  A  selected  com 
pany,  from  the  ancient  colony  of  Massachusetts,  com 
menced  their  travels  to  the  westward,  in  pursuit  of  a 
fertile  region.  Upon  the  banks  of  thi^  beautiful  stream 
they  found  it,  and  began  the  arduous  labour  of  planting 
a  new  colony.  Providence  smiled  upon  the  undertak 
ing,  arid  blessed  the  labour  of  their  hands.  This  city 
has  always  been  the  leading  place  in  the  state  ;  although 
the  legislature  alternately  sits  here  and  at  New-Haven. 
This  practice  arose  from  the  union  of  the  ancient  colo 
nies  of  Connecticut  and  New-Haven,  uniting  together  to 
form  the  State  of  CONNECTICUT.  No  interior  town  in 
New-England  unites  more  advantages  than  Hartford. 
Although  it  will  not  rank  with  great  commercial  places, 
it  commands  a  great  proportion  of  the  trade  of  the  fer 
tile  and  flourishing  country  upon  the  Connecticut,  from 
Canada  to  its  mouth  ;  a  stream  unrivalled  in  the  New- 
England  States.  An  active  trade  is  also  carried  on 
from  this  place  with  the  West  Indies,  and  with  most  of 
the  other  States.  Hartford  is  situated  upon  the  West 
bank  of  this  river,  about  fifty  miles  from  its  mouth,  and 
at  the  head  of  sloop  navigation  ;  it  being  navigable  for 
boats  of  considerable  burthen,  200  miles  above  it.  The 
city  is  divided  into  two  sections  by  the  Little  river. 
The  main  street  is  nearly  two  miles  in  length  upon  the 
height  of  ground  ;  a  number  of  streets  running  from 
it,  East  to  the  Connecticut,  and  West  to  the  Little  ri 
ver,  and  the  adjoining  country.  The  public  buildings, 
considering  the  size  of  the  place,  are  not  exceeded  by 
any  town  in  the  union.  The  State-House,  the  Brick 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR.  11^ 

Meeting-House,  and  the  two  Banks,  are  fine  specimens 
of  architecture,  and  excite  the  admiration  of  travel 
lers. 

The  toll  bridge  across  the  Connecticut  river,  at  this 
place,  and  the  cause-way  through  the  adjoining  meadow, 
will  not  suffer  by  a  comparison  with  the  first  works  of 
this  kind  in  the  union. 

Although  this  place  can  boast  of  no  literary  institu 
tion  above  a  grammar  school  ;  yet  it  will  forever  be  re 
membered  as  the  first  place  in  the  Western  world  that 
established  an  institution  for  the  instruction  of  the  Deaf 
and  Dumb.  The  Abbe  SICARD,  of  France,  has  already 
had  his  name  enrolled  amongst  the  benefactors  of  man 
kind.  His  pupils,  one  an  American,  a  native  of  Hart 
ford,  the  other  a  Frenchman,  are  conductors  of  the 
Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  in  this  city.  Language  is  in 
competent  to  the  grateful  task  of  eulogizing  the  found 
ers  of  this  institution.  By  their  benevolent  aid,  they 
are  rescuing  a  portion  of  their  fellow  creatures  from  a 
humilitating  state  of  mental  imbecility,  and  giving  them 
a  rank  in  the  intellectual  world.  Without  their  aid,  the 
interesting  objects  of  their  benevolence,  with  the  hu 
man  form,  would  rise  but  little  above  mere  animal  na 
ture.  The  unceasing  assiduity  of  Mr.  GALLAUDETT, 
and  LE  CLERC,  the  conductors  of  this  institution,  has 
secured  to  them  the  undivided  approbation  of  men,  and 
angels  must  smile  with  complacency  upon  their  labours. 
This  institution  owes  its  origin  to  private  munificence. 
Much  has  been  done  from  this  source.  The  Legisla 
ture  of  Connecticut  made  the  first  grant  from  a  public 
treasury.  It  requires  the  fostering  aid  of  the  nation. 
The  President  has  visited  this  Asylum,  and  his  known 


120 

and  acknowledged  philanthropy  excites  a  hope,  that 
his  influence  will  be  exerted  to  make  this  an  Asylum 
for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  in  humble  and  dependent  life,  as 
well  as  for  those  whose  abundant  means  enable  them, 
from  their  own  resources,  to  obtain  the  inestimable  bles 
sing  of  rational  reflection. 

The  benevolent  founders  of  this  institution  have  it 
in  contemplation  to  erect  a  building  in  the  South  part 
of  this  city,  suitable  for  a  college  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb.  The  place  selected,  will  embrace  the  delight 
ful  scenery,  and  the  salubrious  air  of  the  country,  with 
in  a  few  minutes  walk  of  the  city.  As  long  as  heaven 
permits  the  world  to  remain  as  it  is,  and  continues  to 
call  human  beings  into  existence,  this  ASYLUM  will  be 
resorted  to  as  an  aid  for  the  deficiences  of  nature.  A 
portion  of  man  have  always  been  born  Deaf  and  Dumb, 
and  probably  will  so  be  born  hereafter.  The  popula 
tion  of  the  city  and  town,  in  1810,  was  6000. 

Early  upon  the  24th,  the  President  and  his  suite  left 
this  place,  after  visiting  the  State  Arsenal,  with  the 
Quarter-Master-General  of  the  State  ;  and,  passing 
through  the  flourishing  towns  of  Windsor  and  Suflield, 
arrived  at  Springfield,  in  Massachusetts,  the  same  day 
in  the  forenoon. 

"  The  President  arrived  at  the  line  of  Massachu 
setts,  on  the  West  side  of  the  Connecticut,  about  two 
o'clock,  where  he  was  met  by  an  escort  from  this  town 
and  the  vicinity,  consisting  of  about  sixty  gentlemen  on 
horseback,  and  so  many  other  gentlemen  in  carriages, 
as  to  make  the  retinue  extend  more  than  half  a  mile 
when  in  close  order.  In  this  manner  he  was  introduced 
into  town.  At  the  bridge,  he  was  met  by  the  Artillerj 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUR.  121 

Company  commanded  by  Capt.  Warriner,  and  a  federal 
salute  was  immediately  commenced,  and  the  bells  rung. 
On  his  arrival  a't  Bennett's  Inn,  he  was  received  by  a 
concourse  of  people  as  large  as  we  recollect  ever  to 
have  seen  on  any  former  occasion.  The  following  Ad 
dress  was  then  delivered  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Com 
mittee,  to  which  the  President  made  a  highly  satisfacto 
ry  answer,  verbally  ;  a  written  one  not  being  requested 
or  expected." 

MAY  IT   PLEASE    YOUR    EXCELLENCY  ; 

We  wait  on  you  as  a  Committee,  in  behalf  of  the 
people  of  this  and  the  neighbouring  towns,  cordially  to 
welcome  your  arrival  within  the  limits  of  the  Common 
wealth  of  Massachusetts. 

Of  such  extent  is  the  country  over  which,  by  the 
voice  of  the  people,  according  to  our  excellent  Consti 
tution,  you  are  called  to  preside  ;  so  various  and  all  im 
portant  are  the  duties  of  your  high  station,  that  but  a 
small  portion  of  our  citizens  could  ever  expect  the 
honour  and  favour  of  personally  knowing  their  Chief 
Magistrate. 

When  your  Excellency's  intention  to  visit  the  North 
ern  States  during  this  season,  and  the  other  States  of 
the  Union,  whenever  your  cares  and  arduous  labours  at 
the  seat  of  government  would  admit  of  your  leaving  it, 
was  announced,  we  contemplated  it  with  pleasure,  as 
having  a  tendency  to  draw  still  closer  that  bond  of 
union  which  ought  never  to  be  broken,  or  even  relax 
ed,  by  the  intrigues  of  foreign  nations,  or  the  faults  and 
follies  of  our  own. 

In  personally  viewing  the  various  establishments 
made  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  since  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  for  the  security  and  de 
fence  of  our  country,  we  sincerely  hope  your  Excel 
lency  will  see  much  to  approve  ;  and  that  in  this  place 
you  will  find  the  efforts  made  to  relieve  us  from  that 
dependence  on  other  nations  for  implements  of  war,  (so 
L 


1212  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

painful  to  us  during  our  struggle  for  independence)  not 
unworthy  of  your  notice  and  approbation.  We  ardent 
ly  wish  your  Excellency  prosperity  in  your  journey 
ing  ;  perfect  self-complacency  in  your  administration 
of  the  government  ;  and,  under  the  smiles  of  Provi 
dence,  all  personal  blessings. 


**  The  President  and  his  suite  went  on  horseback, 
escorted  as  before,  to  view  the  public  works  of  the 
United  States.  When  he  reached  the  public  ground  on 
the  hill,  he  was  again  received  with  a  federal  salute. 
On  his  return  to  the  inn,  410  children  assembled  from 
the  several  schools  in  the  village,  passed  in  procession 
before  the  door  of  the  inn,  where  the  President  was. 
One  of  the  Committee  said  to  the  President  : — "We 
here  present  to  your  excellency  the  hopes  of  our  coun 
try,  and  we  are  endeavouring  to  train  them  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  pure 
principles  of  republican  government." — To  which  the 
President  replied  : — "  I  am  much  pleased  and  gratified 
with  their  appearance,  and  I  pray  God  to  bless  them 
and  you,  and  carry  your  good  design  into  effect." 

The  President  left  town  about  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  on 
his  way  to  New-London,  escorted  by  about  40  gentle 
men  on  horseback,  to  the  line  of  Connecticut,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river." 

Upon  entering  the  flourishing  town  of  Springfield,  the 
President  was  animated  at  the  appearance  of  a  village 
upon  the  banks  f  the  Connecticut,  seventy  five  miles 
from  its  mouth,  offering  to  the  view  of  the  traveller 
every  appearance  of  wealth,  and  every  evidence  of 
temporal  enjoyment.  Historical  recollections  would 
make  him  reflect,  that  this  place,  then  enjoying  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  123 

blessings  of  a  mild  and  well  regulated  government,  was, 
in  1786,  surrounded  by  a  rebellious  banditti,  led  by 
Daniel  Shays,  the  Jack  Cade  of  New-England,  threaten 
ing  the  lives  of  its  unoffending  citizens,  and  endeavour 
ing  to  subvert  the  institutions  of  civil  society.  It  was 
not  like  the  insurrections  of  English  peasantry,  demand 
ing  of  government  a  redress  of  real  grievances,  a  di 
minution  of  exorbitant  taxes,  and  a  supply  of  necessary 
food  ;  but  a  rebellion  excited  by  those  turbulent  and 
restless  spirits,  who  commence  a  riot  without  reason, 
and  cannot  be  reasoned  into  submission.  When  the 
rebellion  of  a  Shays  is  remembered,  it  will  not  be  for 
gotten  that  it  was  suppressed  by  the  firmness  and  pru 
dence  of  a  SHEPARD,  with  the  loss  of  but  little  blood. 
He  might  have  said  with  Ccezar,  "  1 came — I  saw — / 
conquered." 

In  this  town,  there  has  long  been  in  operation  the 
most  celebrated  manufactory  of  fire  arms  in  the  union. 
The  cannon  that  hare  here  been  made,  have  thunder 
ed  defiance  to  our  enemies,  and  scattered  death  through 
their  ranks.  For  some  years  past,  more  than  twelve 
thousand  stand  of  superior  small  arms  have  here  been 
annually  made  for  the  public  service.  The  President,  in 
viewing  this  important  establishment,  and  inspecting 
these  weapons  of  death,  would  not,  with  a  French 
monarch,  cause  to  be  stamped  upon  them — "  Lex  ulti 
ma  Regis" — but  he  might  well  exclaim — "  These  are 
the  defence  of  our  beloved  Republic." 

The  people  of  Springfield  imitated  the  example  of 
an  ancient  patriot,  who,  when  his  Supreme  Ruler  was 
passing  through  his  dominions  to  receive  the  donations 
of  his  people,  presented  to  him  his  numerous  offspring, 


J24  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

exclaiming,  "  These  are  my  treasures."  The  philan 
thropic  and  patriotic  bosom  of  our  beloved  Chief  Ma 
gistrate  must  have  swollen  with  rapture,  when  **  the 
hopes  of  our  country"  were  presented  to  him  by  their 
parents  ;  and  he  might  well  pronounce  the  blessing  he 
did,  "  I  pray  God  to  bless  them  and  you." 

The  President,  ardent  in  the  pursuit  of  the  great  ob 
jects  of  his  Tour,  left  this  place  in  haste  ;  but  must 
have  "  cast  a  long  and  lingering  look  behind."  He  pass 
ed  through  the  town  of  Long-Meadow,  where  hemp  is 
produced  in  abundance  for  the  supply  of  cordage  for 
the  American  navy  ;  and  through  Enfield  and  East- 
Windsor,  where  American  liquor  is  manufactured  in 
great  quantities  for  the  American  army.  He  lodged  at 
East  Hartford.  In  passing  from  Springfield  to  this 
place,  the  President  was  charmed  with  the  fertility  of 
the  country,  and  his  view  of  it  was  not  obstructed  by 
any  public  attention  from  the  people. 

Upon  the  morning  of  the  25th,  he  arose  with  the 
rising  sun,  and,  with  his  retinue,  passed  through  a 
country  where  the  industry  of  man  has  converted  a 
country,  having  no  natural  claim  to  fertility,  into  a  gar 
den  ;  and  arrived  at  New  London  in  the  afternoon. 
This  place,  which  was,  in  the  last  war,  defended  so 
well  by  the  judicious  arrangements  of  the  then  Secreta 
ry  at  War,  and  at  this  time  President  of  the  United  States, 
received  him  in  the  following  manner. 

"  The  President  with  his  suite,  was  met  by  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements  ;  when,  being  escorted  by 
the  first  Company  of  Light  Dragoons,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Dennis,  and  respectfully  followed  by  a  long  pro 
cession  of  citizens,  they  passed  down  State  street  and 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  125 

Bank  street,  to  the  house  of  Mr.  P.  T.  Taber,  where 
arrangements  had  been  made  for  his  accommodation  ; 
the  citizens,  under  the  direction  of  the  Marshals, 
forming  two  lines,  between  which,  preceded  by  the 
military,  he  passed  to  his  lodgings.  The  President  then 
received  the  customary  salutes  of  the  military,  and  was 
cheered  by  the  grateful  smiles  of  the  people.  Salutes 
were  fired  from  the  Artillery,  from  the  U.  States  ves 
sels,  and  from  Fort  Trumbull. 

Soon  after,  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common 
Council,  waited  on  the  President,  and  presented  an 
address  in  behalf  of  the  city,  to  which  he  made  a  reply. 
The  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  then  in  session,  accom 
panied  by  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  waited  on 
him  with  their  congratulatory  respects.  A  number  of 
other  gentlemen  were  also  introduced,  presenting  their 
congratulations. 

The  visit  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation  to 
this  place,  was  highly  pleasing  to  the  people,  and  can 
not  fail  to  excite  in  their  minds  grateful  sentiments  for 
the  mild  and  happy  government  under  which  they  live, 
and  a  high  respect  for  him  who  is  at  the  head  of  the 
nation." 

ADDRESS 

TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF   THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common  Council  of  the 
city  of  New-London,  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation,  with 
high  respect  for  his  personal  character,  and  great  vene- 
ration  for  his  exalted  station,  embrace  thi"s  occasion  to 
welcome  the  President  of  the  United  States  on  his  safe 
arrival  in  this  place. 

A  visit  from  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  nation  so  re- 
L  2 


126  PBESIDENT'S 

spectable  and  important  in  the  scale  of  political  exist 
ence  as  the  United  States,  to  this  portion  of  the  union, 
is  an  occurrence,  interesting  to  the  patriot,  and  highly 
gratifying  to  the  feelings  of  this  community  ;  an  occur 
rence  which  as  individuals,  we  shall  remember,  and 
which  the  Corporation  will  record. 

It  affords  us  consolation  that  your  administration  has 
commenced  at  a  period  favourable  for  improvement, 
for  the  establishment  of  a  national — of  an  American 
character.  A  period  when  the  storms  of  war  have 
passed,  and  days  of  peace  commenced  ;  when  party- 
spirit  is  assuaged,  and  a  spirit  of  mutual  charity  and 
forbearance  nationally  prevails. 

That  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  common 
with  his  fellow  citizens,  is  enjoying  that  state  of  peace, 
which  his  own  agency  and  energy  so  essentially  pro 
duced,  is  to  us  a  source  of  pleasing  reflection  and  con- 
siderstion. 

We  trust  that  we  may  be  indulged  in  the  pleasing 
contemplation,  that  we  possess  our  habitations  in  safe 
ty  ;  that  our  shores  are  free  from  alarms,  and  that  the 
waters  of  our  harbours  are  relieved  from  the  presence 
of  a  threatening  and  a  hostile  fleet. 

With  great  satisfaction,  we  once  more  behold  in  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States,  a  man  who,  in 
his  youth,  had  an  agency  in  achieving,  with  his  sword, 
the  independence,  and  establishing  the  pillars  of  that 
government,  of  which  he  is  now  the  head,  and  which 
is  the  pride  of  America,  and  the  wonder  of  the  world. 

From  the  high  stations  you  have  held,  and  honoura 
bly  sustained — from  the  eminent  services  you  have 
rendered  our  common  country,  we  have  a  happy  as 
surance,  under  Divine  Providence,  of  an  honourable 
and  prosperous  administration  ;  and  that  under  the  aus 
pices  of  your  government,  we  shall  be  a  united  and  a 
happy  people. 

Nothing  can  give  more  satisfaction,  than  a  considera 
tion  of  the  parental  view,  and  extensive  survey  which 
the  President  is  taking  of  the  northern  section  of  that 
country,  which  is  happily  united  under  a  government  of 
energy  and  freedom  ;  and  of  which,  by  the  choice  of  a 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  127 

great  and  enlightened  people,  he   is  now  the  political 
head. 

Be  pleased,  Sir,  to  accept  our  sincere  wishes  that 
your  life  may  be  prolonged  and  happy  ; — That  your 
administration  may  be  prosperous  and  blessed  ;- — That 
your  journey  may  be  pleasant  ;  and  that  you  may,  in 
health  and  safety,  be  returned  to  the  bosom  of  your  fa 
mily,  and  all  your  endearing  and  domestic  relations, 
with  happiness  and  satisfaction. 

JEREMIAH  G.  BRAINARD,  Mayor. 

June  25,  1817. 

The  President's  reply. 

To  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common  Council  of  the 
city  of  New-London. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  ; 

In  making  a  Tour  through  the  Eastern  States,  with  a 
view  to  public  defence,  New-London  had  a  strong  claim 
to  attention  ;  and  in  visiting  it,  1  have  been  much  gra 
tified  by  the  very  friendly  reception  which  has  been 
given  to  me. 

Aware  of  the  favourable  circumstances  under  which 
I  have  commenced  the  duties  of  the  high  trust  to  which 
I  have  been  appointed  by  rny  fellow  citizens,  it  will  be 
my  zealous  endeavour  to  derive  from  them,  in  the  ad 
ministration  of  the  government,  all  the  advantages  which 
they  can  afford .  It  is  only  by  making  adequate  prepa 
ration  for  war,  now  that  we  are  blessed  with  peace,  that 
we  can  hope  to  avert  tnat  calamity  in  future.  It  is  only 
by  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  when  it  becomes 
inevitaole,  that  its  evils  can  be  mitigated,  and  an  hon 
ourable  peace  be  soon  restored. 

In  the  pursuit  of  great  national  objects,  it  is  equally 
the  interest  and  the  duty  of  the  whole  American  people 
to  unite.  Happy  in  a  government  which  secures  to  us 
the  full  enjoyment  of  all  our  civil  and  religious  rights, 
we  have  every  inducement  to  unite  in  its  support. 
With  such  union  we  have  nothing  to  dread  from  for 
eign  powers. 

For  the  kind  interest  which  you  take  in  my  welfare, 


128  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

I, .beg  you  to  accept  of  my  warmest  thanks,  and  to  be 
assured  of  the  sincerity  with  which  I  reciprocate  it,  in 
favour  of  the  citizens  of  New-London,  and  its  vicinity. 

JAMES  MONROE." 

"  On  Thursday  morning,  the  President,  with  his 
suite,  attended  by  Com.  Bainbridge,  Capt.  Oliver  H. 
Perry,  and  other  distinguished  military  and  naval  offi 
cers  present,  were  conveyed  in  barges  to  Fort  Trum- 
bull.  On  his  leaving  the  wharf,  a  salute  was  fir 
ed  by  the  Enterprize  sloop  of  war  ;  and  on  his  landing 
a  salute  was  fired  from  the  Fort. 

After  inspecting  the  site  and  works  of  Fort  Trum- 
bull,  he  proceeded  across  the  harbour  to  Groton,  to 
visit  Fort  Griswold,  that  memorable  spot,  which  a  baud 
of  Volunteer  Militia  bravely  defended,  when  assaulted 
by  the  British  troops,  September  6,  1781  ;  and  where 
a  large  number  were  sacrificed  after  the  surrender  of 
the  Fort. 

A  national  salute  was  fired  from  Fort  Griswold,  when 
the  President  landed.  He  was  met  by  a  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  and  a  large  assemblage  of  citizens  of 
Groton  and  the  neighbouring  towns  ;  all  vicing  with 
each  other  in  expressions  of  respectful  attention  to  him., 
whom  the  nation  has  distinguished  by  its  honours. 

He  was  then  escorted  to  the  Fort  by  the  first  Com 
pany  of  Grenadiers  of  the  eighth  Regiment,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Dabell,  and  accompanied  by  the  select  men, 
and  civil  authority,  and  followed  by  a  long  cavalcade  of 
citizens,  to  the  gate  of  Fort  Griswold. 

He  entered  the  Fort  with  his  suite,  the  naval  and 
military  officers  present,  and  several  distinguished  citi 
zens.  In  the  Fort,  at  his  request,  some  of  the  surviving 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR.  12S 

heroes  who  so  valiantly  defended  it  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  were  introduced  to  the  President.'  The  scene 
now  became  truly  interesting.  After  a  lapse  of  so  ma 
ny  years,  Fort  Griswold,  and  the  hill  on  which  it  stands, 
becomes  again  distinguished  in  the  annals  of  our  coun 
try.  There  v/e  behold  the  Nation's  Chief  ;  and  at  his 
side  the  hoary  Veteran — who,  on  that  spot,  thirty-seven 
years  having  since  passed,  stood  as  a  Volunteer  in  de 
fence  of  his  Country  and  his  Home  ;  and  after  surren 
dering  to  a  superior  force  was  wounded  and  left  for 
dead. 

Mr.  Park  A  very,  and  his  brother  Mr.  Ebenezer  A- 
very,  ofGroton,  both  upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age, 
were  among  the  few  survivors  present.  Their  scars 
were  too  conspicuous  to  permit  them  to  escape  the 
particular  notice  and  kind  attention  of  President  MON 
ROE.  Past  scenes  crowded  on  his  recollection,  and 
when,  under  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  he  laid  his 
hands  on  the  traces  of  their  wounds  ;  these  venerable 
patriots  realized  that  their  country  blessed  them,  while 
her  Chief  gratefully  noticed  the  scars  which  bore  hon 
ourable  testimony  to  their  valour,  and  their  sufferings 
in  her  defence. 

After  inspecting  the  Fort,  and  its  very  commanding 
site,  the  President  was  received  by  the  military  and 
citizens,  who  were  paraded  at  the  gate,  and  waiting  with 
great  order  and  decorum.  He  was  then  escorted  in  the 
same  order  as  before,  to  the  house  of  Capt.  Elijah  Bai- 
ly,  where  refreshments  were  prepared. 

The  Steam  Boat  Fulton,  Capt.  Law,  'having  been 
politely  offered,  lay  waiting  at  a  short  distance  from  the 
wharf.  The  President  being  respectfully  saluted,  went 


130  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

on  board  the  Fulton,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  Thames., 
about  six  miles,  which  afforded  an  opportunity  for  ex 
amining  this  important  river,  with  its  numerous  and  va 
luable  accommodations  for  a  navy.  •  He  returned  to 
this  city  about  2  o'clock,  P.  M." 

The  President  lodged  at  New-London  upon  the  night 
of  the  25th.  The  next  morning,  at  an  early  hour,  he 
entered  the  well  known  Enterprize  sloop  of  war,  and, 
accompanied  by  other  United  States  vessels,  passed 
Fort  Trumbull,  which  fired  the  customary  salute,  and 
proceeded  to  Gardiner's  Bay.  He  here  surveyed  the 
commodious  bay  where  an  English  squadron  under  Sir 
Thomas  M.  Hardy,  the  favourite*  of  Lord  Nelson,  for  a 
long  time  blockaded  an  American  squadron  that  had 
become  familiar  with  victory. 

The  town  of  New-London,  the  key  to  Connecticut,, 
has  suffered  from  the  operations  of  war  ever  since  Con 
necticut  was  settled.  In  the  early  stages  of  the  settle 
ment  of  the  State,  it  was  the  seat  of  savage  warfare.  In 
the  revolutionary  war,  it  suffered  not  so  much  by  a  for 
eign  foe,  as  by  a  native  traitor,  born  in  its  neighbour 
hood.  The  name  of  Benedict  Arnold,  is  the  first  term, 
of  execration,  that  its  tender  infants  lisp  from  their  in 
nocent  lips.  Our  excellentPresident  remarks,  in  his  IN 
AUGURAL  SPEECH — "  /  add,  with  peculiar  satisfaction, 
that  there  has  been  no  example  of  a  capital  punishment 
being  inflicted  on  any  one  for  the  crime  of  high  treason." 

Had  Arnold  been  recovered  from  the  British  army, 
after  having  betrayed  his  native  country,  the  President 

*  After  Lord  Nelson   had  lost  an  arm  in   battle,   he  was  accompanied  by 

Hardy  to  an  interriew  with  the  Lords  of  Admiralty.     Lord lamented  the 

loss  of  his  right  arm.     Nelson,  turning  to   Hardy,  said,  "Here  is  my   right 
arm.''1 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  131 

could  not  have  said  this.  Arnold  must  have  died  as  a 
traitor,  and  Andre,  the  accomplished,  the  generous,  and 
courageous  Andre,  would  have  escaped  an  ignominious 
death. 

It  may  not  be  deemed  a  digression  when  describing 
the  city  of  New  London,  to  allude  to  Arnold,  who  par 
tially  destroyed  it  in  the  revolutionary  war.  He  was 
born  in  the  county  of  New-London,  Connecticut.  In 
the  early  stages  of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  was  rais 
ed  to  the  rank  of  Colonel.  He  was  entrusted  with 
daring  and  difficult  expeditions,  and  his  success  exceed 
ed  the  expectations  excited  by  his  previous  character 
for  prudent  courage.  But  avarice,  the  gangrene  of  the 
human  mind,  was  his  ruling  passion.  He  converted 
the  power  entrusted  to  him  to  aid  the  cause  of  his  en 
dangered  country,  into  an  instrument  to  augment  his 
own  wealth.  His  companions  in  arms  complained  loud 
ly  of  his  penurious  injustice.  Congress  regarded  their 
complaints,  and  WASHINGTON  admonished  him  for  his 
abuses.  But  gentle  reproof  was  lost  upon  his  sordid 
heart.  Instead  of  producing  that  reformation  which 
deserved  reproof,  always  effects  in  a  generous  bosom, 
it  only  tended  to  arouse  the  revengeful  spirit  of  disap 
pointed  avarice.  He  knew  full  well,  that  Britain,  with 
all  her  boasted  prowess,  had  sometimes  conquered  by 
her  gold.  His  attachment  to  that  was  more  devoted 
than  that  he  owed  to  the  land  of  his  nativity,  and  he 
Sold  himself,  and  betrayed  his  country,  for  thirty  thou 
sand  pounds  sterling.  But  that  watchful  Providence 
that  succours  the  just,  and  defeats  the  machinations  of 
the  wicked,  thwarted  his  diabolical  intentions.  West 
Point  was  preserved  ;  Arnold  fled  his  country  ;  left 


132  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the  generous  and  noble  Andre  to  die  ;  and  although  the 
enemy  wished  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  the  treason,  they 
always  detested  the  traitor.  Hated  by  his  new  friends, 
and  detested  by  his  own  countrymen,  he  became  the 
spoiled  child  of  desperation.  With  a  clan  of  modern 
Vandivls,  he  entered  the  town  where  he  had  once  en 
joyed  the  sweets  of  hospitality,  and  subjected  it  to  con 
flagration.  He  entered  Fort  Grisrvold,  with  the  feroci 
ty  of  a  daemon,  almost  depopulated  a  whole  town,  and 
put  to  death  the  valiant  LEDYARD  With  his  own  sword, 
after  compelling  him  to  surrender  it. 

"  Is  there  not  some  hidden  curse,  some  chosen 
'•  Thunder,  red  with  uncommon  wrath, 
"  To  blast  the  wretch  who  owes  kis  greatness 
"  To  his  country'*  rwtn." 

The  city  of  New  London  is  situated  upon  the  west 
side  of  the  river  Thames  at  its  mouth.  It  has  one  of 
the  finest  harbours  in  America,  and  may  almost  bid  de 
fiance  to  a  naval  enemy,  as  was  clearly  demonstrated 
in  the  last  war.  A  British  fleet,  for  nearly  two  years, 
commanded  by  Hardy  and  Hotham,  were  compelled  to 
lay  at  a  respectful  distance,  and  see  one  of  their  finest 
frigates  captured  by  DECATUR,  proudly  hoisting  the 
"  star  spangled  banner"  in  their  presence.  The  popu 
lation  of  New  London  in  1810,  was  3300. 

The  President  left  Gardiner's  Bay  on  the  morning  of 
the  27th,  and  proceeded  to  Stonington.  I  am  indebted 
to  the  politeness  of  George  Hubbard,  Esq.  for  an  ac 
count  of  the  President's  reception  in  this  patriotic  lit 
tle  town. 

"The  Tour  of  our  beloved  Chief  Magistrate  was 
a  subject  of  universal  attention  among  all  our  citizens. 


PRESIDENTS  TOUJR.  I3o 

On  the  27th,  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  President  arrived 
in  the  habour  at  the  east  end  of  Fishers'  Island  Sound, 
in  the  Revenue  Cutter  Active,  Capt.  Cahoon,  accom 
panied  by  the  sloop  of  war  Enterprize,  the  Newport, 
and  New  Haven  Revenue  Cutters,  attended  by  his 
suite,  Com.  Bainbridge,  Gen.  Miller,  and  other  dis^- 
guished  naval  and  military  gentlemen.  The  Cutter 
came  to  anchor  about  half  past  three  o'clock.  A  Com 
mittee,  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  Warden  and 
Burgesses,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Enoch  Burrows,  Paul 
Babcock,  and  George  Hubbard,  immediately  repaired 
on  board,  and  waited  upon  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the 
nation  ;  and,  in  fifteen  minutes  after,  the  Committee,  in 
a  boat  from  the  shore,  preceding  the  barge  of  the  Pre 
sident,  with  his  suite,  Gen.  Swift  and  Mr.  Mason,  and 
attended  by  Com.  Bainbridge  and  Gen.  Miller,  under  a 
national  salute  from  the  Cutter,  landed.  The  Commit 
tee  first  landing  and  receiving  the  President  with  con 
gratulations. 

He  was  then  waited  upon  by  the  Committee  and 
Col.  Randal,  followed  by  his  suite,  through  a  double 
row  of  citizens,  uncovered,  he  also  being  uncovered, 
to  his  lodgings,  at  Capt.  Thomas  Swans.  A  salute  was 
fired  from  the  shore  as  a  demonstration  of  joy,  from 
the  same  eighteen  pounder,  which,  on  the  ever  memo 
rable  9th  day  of  August,  1814,  sent  terror  and  dismay 
amongst  Sir  Thomas  M.  Hardy"1  s  squadron. 

A  very  large  and  respectable  concourse  of  citizens 
from  this  and  the  adjoining  towns,  uttered  their  sponta 
neous  welcome  by  three  hearty  cheers,  which  was  re 
ciprocated  by  the  President  showing  himself  at  the  door 
and  bowing. 


134  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  the  Warden  and  Burges*e> 
being  assembled  for  the  purpose,  waited  upon  the  man 
whom  the  people  delight  to  honour. 

The  President  then  received  the  congratulations  of 
a  large  number  of  distinguished  citizens,  several  volun- 
ttfers  who  were  present  at  the  bombardment  in  the  late 
war,  and  he  particularly  noticed  Mr.  John  Minor  of  this 
lown,  who  was  rendered  blind  in  the  contest  refered  to, 
nearly  two  years. 

After  which  he  visited  the  battery,  or  redoubt  on 
which  the  guns  were  planted  in  the  bombardment  in 
1814  ;  and  which  is  now  converted  to  husbandry  and 
horticulture.  He  also  visited  the  U.  States  Arsenal. 

A  circumstance  peculiarly  interesting,  and  which  at 
tracted  the  attention  of  the  President,  at  the  Arsenal, 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Mr.  Edward  Horton,  a 
Volunteer  in  Fort  Griswold  at  the  time  of  its  capture 
in  1780,  was  presented,  clad  in  the  vest  worn  at  that 
time,  perforated  with  several  ball  holes  in  the  region 
of  the  heart,  which  was  laid  bare  ;  the  President  paid 
particular  and  marked  attention,  and  examined  his  hon 
ourable  scars  ;  and  observed  to  him  "  it  was  a  wonderful 
providential  kindness  that  he  was  restored  to  health."  He 
also  paid  marked  attention  to  Mr.  Daniel  Horton,  bro 
ther  of  Edward,  who  at  the  same  time  and  place,  receiv 
ed  twenty  three  wounds  to  the  bone. 

One  of  those  ponderous  engines  of  conflagration  and 
and  death,  usually  called  carcasses,  sent  amongst  the  in 
habitants  of  Stonington,  and  which  holds  a  conspicuous 
place  in  the  principal  street  in  the  Borough,  handsome 
ly  painted  with  the  following  inscription  : — "  Bomb  Ship 
Terror,  weight  215  pounds,  without  effect,  August,  9, 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  135 

1814,"  was  minutely  examined  by  Mr.  Monroe  and 
suite.  In  the  evening  the  President  received  the  visits 
©fa  number  of  citizens." 

The  town  of  Stonington  forms  the  south-east  corner 
town  in  the  State,  and  is  situated  upon  Long  Island 
Sound.  The  compact  part  of  it  is  incorporated  into  a 
Borough  ;  and  is  inhabited  by  a  people  of  great  enter- 
prize.  The  unparalled  courage,  and  cool  resolution 
with  which  it  was  defended  in  the  last  war,  will  be  a 
theme  of  patriotic  exultation,  as  long  as  its  rocky  foun 
dation  shall  remain  unmoved,  and  as  long  as  patriotic 
valour  shall  find  admirers.  Although  the  Stonington 
band  of  twenty  did  not,  like  the  Spartan  band  of  three 
hundred,  fall  victims  to  their  courage,  yet  it  was  no  less 
conspicuous  than  theirs  ;  and  the  point  at  Stonington. 
like  the  Defile  at  Thermopylae,  will  forever  be  celebra 
ted  by  the  historian.  The  President  must  have  reflect 
ed,  with  all  the  pleasure  of  delight,  that  so  long  as  the 
Republic  had  such  defenders,  it  was  safe. 

Upon  the  morning  of  the  28th,  he  entered  the  Enter- 
prize  under  a  national  salute,  and,  by  a  propitious  breeze, 
was  wafted  in  this  favourite  vessel,  (that  has  compelled 
a  Barbarian  corsair  and  an  English  sloop  of  war,  to 
strike  their  flags)  to  the  island  of  Rhode  Island. 

The  prescribed  limits  of  this  work  forbids  me  the 
gratification  and  the  grief  of  giving  a  minute  geographi 
cal  and  historical  account  of  this,  which,  in  the  estima 
tion  of  American  and  European  travellers,  is  the  most 
beautiful  island  attached  to  the  continent  of  America. 
It  is  situated  near  the  mouth  of  Providence  river,  and 
is  approached  from  the  north  by  Bristol  Ferry — from 
the  south-west  over  Narraganset  Bay.  Upon  entering 


*36  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

upon  the  island  from  the  Ferry,  the  traveller  begins 
gradually  to  ascend.  When  he  has  reached  the  highest 
part  of  it,  admiration  compels  him  to  stop  and  survey, 
with  his  eye,  the  surrounding  scenery.  Upon  the  west, 
he  beholds  a  noble  stream  uniting  with  the  ocean,  and 
vessels  of  the  heaviest  burthen  ascending  it  to  the  flour 
ishing  town  of  Providence,  thirty  miles  above.  To  the 
north,  he  catches  a  distant  view  of  the  delightful  towns 
of  Bristol  imd  Warren.  To  the  east  and  the  south,  he 
beholds  the  majestic  waves  of  the  Atlantic,  washing  the 
-shores  of  this  delightful  island.  Could  he  gaze  with  the 
poetic  eye  and  fervent  imagination  of  a  MOORE,  he 
could,  with  him,  exclaim, 

"  O  !  nature,  how  hless'd  and  brig-ht  are  (by  rays, 
"  O'er  the  face  of  creation  enchantingly  thrown ." 

In  the  midst  of  these  raptures  he  would  pause.  He 
would  reflect  that  the  river  and  the  ocean  that  sur 
rounds  this  island,  the  boasted  land  of  freedom,  has  long 
borne  upon  their  bosoms  the  unoffending  natives  of  the 
continent  of  Africa.  Much  of  the  wealth  that  has  ena 
bled  its  inhabitants  to  increase  the  charms  of  nature  by 
the  magnificent  structures  of  art,  has  been  acquired  by 
the  detestable  traffic  in  human  flesh.  While  the  moral 
spectator  is  surveying  the  highly  cultivated  fields  of  this 
enchanting  island,  and  upon  the  banks  of  this  noble  ri 
ver,  he  will  think  of  Aceldema,  the  field  of  blood  :  and 
remember  that  the  fertile  fields  of  the  South  would  now 
be  cultivated  by  American  freemen,  instead  of  African 
slaves,  had  it  not  been  for  the  reprehensible  and  avari 
cious  enterprise  of  the  slave  merchants  of  the  North. 

I  hope  to  be  excused  for  expressing  my  feelings  up 
on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  for  introducing  the  fol 
lowing  paragraph  from  Robinns"1  Journal,  pages  132, 133. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  137 

!<  It  is  upon  this  coast  (Guinea)  that  the  Slave  Trade ^ 
has  so  Ions:,  "to  the  indelible  disgrace  of  the  Christian 
world  been  prosecuted.  The  inhabitants  are  describ 
ed,  by  all  historians,  as  mild  and  peaceable.  Possess 
ing  a  country  of  great  fertility  ;  having  no  means  of 
making  conquests,  or  extending  dominion,  they  remain 
where  nature  has  placed  them,  unmoved  by  the  sordid 
demands  of  avarice,  or  the  more  splendid  and  guilty 
calls  of  ambition.  The  different  tribes,  or  kingdoms, 
sometimes  make  war  upon  each  other  ;  but  they  are 
urged  on  to  warfare  by  European  and  American  mer 
chants,  to  capture  each  other  to  furnish  slave  ships  with 
their  cargoes.  With  a  few  paltry  toys,  calculated  to 
catch  the  fancy  of  untutored  barbarians,  they  induce 
the  natives  to  prey  upon  each  other,  and  exchange 
their  countrymen  for  baubles.  After  doing  this,  a 
Christian  merchant  excuses  himself  by  saying  ike  Afri 
cans  enslave  each  other !  This  reasoning  may  be  conclu 
sive  before  a  tribunal  of  slave  merchants,  assembled 
in  a  princely  mansion,  that  owes  its  splendour  to  hu 
man  blood  ;  but  all  the  courts  of  Europe  have  very 
recently,  by  common  consent,  united  to  wipe  the  foul 
stain  from  the  character  of  their  respective  nations,  im 
pressed  upon  them  by  this  inhuman,  detestable,  arid  di 
abolical  traffic.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
is  the  first  one  that  absolutely  prohibited  it." 

As  the*  ancient  statesmen  of  our  Republic  prohibited 
this  traffic,  so  its  modern  ones,  with  a  benevolence  truly 
sublime,  are  endeavouring  to  restore  wretched  Africans 
to  their  native  country,  by  the  measures  of  the  '*  COLO 
NIZATION  SOCIETY-."  Its  officers  are 
M  2 


l**o  PRESIDENT  S  TGt/K. 

President. 
Hon.  Bushrod  Washington. 

Vice  Presidents. 

Hon.  William  H.  Crawford,  of  Georgia. 

Hon.  Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky. 

Hon.  William  Phillips,  of  Massachusetts. 

Col.  Henry  Rutgers,  of  New- York. 

Hon.  John  E.  Howard,    } 

Hon.  Samuel  Smith,         \   of  Maryland. 

Hon.  John  C.  Herbert,    ) 

John  Taylor,  Esq.  of  Virginia. 

Gen.  Andrew  Jackscn,  of  Tennessee. 

Robert  Ralston,  Esq.      ?      * 

Richard  Rush,  Esq.*       \    of 

Gen.  John  Mason,  District  of  Columbia. 

Samuel  Bayard,  Esq.   New- Jersey. 

Managers. 

Francis  S.  Key,  Walter  Jones,  John  Laird,  Rev.  Dr. 
James  Laurie,  Rev.  Stephen  B.  Balch,  Rev.  Obed  B. 
Brown,  Benj.  G.  Orr,  John  Peter,  Edmund  J.  Lee,  Win. 
Thornton,  Wm.  H.  Fitzhugh,  Henry  Carroll. 

F.  B.  Caldwell,  Esq.  Secretary. 

John  G.  M'Donamb,  Recording  Secretary. 

David  English,  Treasurer. 

The  President  left  the  Enterprize,  and,  by  a  Reve 
nue  Cutter,  was  landed  at  Newport,  upon  Rhode-Isl 
and,  on  the  28th. 

"  On  his  arrival  in  the  harbour,  salutes  were  fired 
from  Forts  Wolcott  and  Adams,  the  bells  were  rung  and 
colours  displayed  on  the  shipping,  and  in  various  parts 
of  the  town  ;  and  on  his  leaving  the  Revenue  Cutter, 
salutes  were  fired  from  the  Artillery,  on  Gardiner's 
wharf,  and  from  the  Cutter 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  139 

On  his  landing,  the  President,  introduced  b}^  Com. 
O.  H.  Perry,  was  received  by  the  Committee  of  the 
town,  and  by  a  great  number  of  naval  and  military  offi 
cers,  and  by  them  conducted  to  his  house,  under  a  mi 
litary  escort,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Tower,  con 
sisting  of  the  Artillery  Company  of  the  town  of  New 
port,  and  the  first  and  third  Companies  of  militia,  com 
manded  by  Captains  Shaw  and  Place  ;  followed  by  a 
procession  of  civil  and  military  officers,  citizens,  and 
strangers. 

In  the  course  of  the  day,  the  President  visited  and 
inspected  the  garrisons  of  Forts  Wolcott  and  Adams, 
with  the  order  and  neatness  of  which,  he  expressed 
himself  highly  gratified.  He  also  made  an  excursion 
to  Tomini  Hill,  a  very  commanding  height  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  that  town. 

His  Excellency  Gov.  Knight  arrived  in  town  from 
Providence,  at  12  o'clock  on  Saturday,  in  the  Steam- 
Boat,  and  in  the  same  afternoon  waited  upon,  and  was 
introduced  to  the  President. 

On  Sunday,  the  President  attended  divine  service  in 
the  morning,  at  Trinity  Church  ;  in  the  afternoon,  at 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Patten's  meeting-house,  and  in  the  even 
ing  at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elton's  meeting-house.  On  Mon 
day  morning  he  received  the  visits  of  a  great  number 
of  our  citizens  ;  and  at  11  o'clock  proceeded  in  a  car 
riage,  accompanied  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements, 
Governour  Knight,  Com.  O.  H.  Perry,  and  several 
other  gentlemen,  to  view  the  several  heights  on  this 
Island,  the  Stone  Bridge,  and  the  heights  at  Tiverton 


140  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

The  President,  during  his  stay  here,  visited  the  Hon 
WILLIAM  ELLERY,  one   of  the  four  surviving  patriots 
of  the  revolution,  who  signed  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence. 

The  following  Address  was  presented  to  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  by  the  Committee  of  the 
town  ;  to  which  the  President  returned  a  very  appro 
priate  extemporaneous  answer. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  Committee  of  the  town  of  Newport  come 
to  express  the  satisfaction  felt  by  them  and  their  fel 
low-citizens,  at  your  arrival  here  in  the  progress  of 
your  Tour  to  survey  the  condition  of  your  country  in 
relation  to  its  military  and  naval  defence. 

Our  means  are  adequate,  and  a  state  of  peace  is  pro 
pitious  to  the  attainment  of  the  important  object  you 
have  in  view. 

In  manifesting  so  deep  an  interest  in  this  great  na 
tional  concern,  you  enter  auspiciously  upon  the  high 
duties  which  have  devolved  upon  you,  as  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  nation. 

In  viewing  the  general  state  of  our  country,  we  trust* 
you  have  had,  and  will  continue  to  have,  occasions  to 
observe  the  beneficial  effects  of  our  free  form  of  go 
vernment,  on  the  various  interests  and  general  happi 
ness  of  your  fellow  citizens  ;  and  that  this  view  will 
add  new  force  to  your  love  of  country,  and  new  incen 
tives  to  the  exertion  of  your  talents,  to  extend  the  in 
fluence  of  the  national  councils,  in  advancing  the  na 
tional  prosperity. 

Newport  is  situated  upon  the  southeast  part  of  the 
island  of  Rhode-Island,  from  which  the  state  derives 
its  name.  It  is  the  capital  of  the  state.  This  island 
and  town  has  been  the  theatre  of  interesting  events. 
It  was  here  the  French  army,  under  Count  Rochanv 


PRESIDENT'S  TO.UR.  141 

beau  ;  and  the  French  fleet,  under  Count  De  Estaing, 
landed  in  the-  revolutionary  war  to  assist  our  country 
men  in  conquering  the  enemy,  whom  our  ancestors 
had  before  learned  to  conquer  single  handed  and  unas 
sisted.  It  was  here,  that  the  enemy  having  the  same 
common  origin  with  Americans,  laid  aside  the  magnan 
imous  character  of  Saxons,  and  assumed  that  of  Van~ 
dais,  leaving  their  dismal  tracks  of  desolation,  over 
every  part  of  this  beautiful  island.  We  no  longer  need 
the  assistance  of  the  former,  and  may  bid  defiance  to 
the  prowess  of  the  latter. 

Newport  has  an  excellent  harbour,  contains  a  State 
House,  eight  edifices  of  public  worship,  and  nearly 
7000  inhabitants.  The  flattering  reception  given  the 
President  at  Newport,  was  a  presage  of  the  distinguish 
ed  respect  he  was  to  witness  at  Providence.  Govern- 
our  KNIGHT,  like  Governour  CLINTON,  of  New  York, 
and  Governour  WOLCOTT  of  Connecticut,  voluntarily 
tendered  to  the  President  his  personal  respects  as  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  Rhode  Island.  The  civil  and  mi 
litary  authorities  vied  with  each  other  in  their  manifes 
tations  of  cordial  attachment  and  sincere  respect.  I 
must  omit  particulars,  to  give  place  to  a  brief  sketch  of 
the  origin  of  the  settlement  of  this  interesting  town 
and  state.  He  arrived  in  this  place  upon  the  30th  day 
of  June. 

The  subsequent  Address  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  presented  to  him  by  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Burrill,  immediately  on  his  arrival  at  his  lodgings  in 
Providence. 


142  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  Citizens  of  Providence  beg  leave  to  offer 
to  you  their  sincere  and  cordial  congratulations  upon 
your  arrival  in  this  town.  With  the  most  sensible 
pleasure,  they  again  see  amongst  them  the  first  Magis 
trate  of  the  Union,  under  a  Constitution,  the  adoption 
of  which  they  so  earnestly  desired,  to  which  they  are 
«o  much  attached,  and  from  the  operation  of  which  thej 
have  derived  so  many  advantages  ;  and  have  the  honour 
of  presenting  their  respectful  address  to  you  within 
their  own  municipal  jurisdiction,  as  they  have  before 
had  the  satisfaction  of  doing  to  two  of  your  illustrious 
predecessors. 

The  time  and  circumstances  of  your  visit  to  this  part 
of  the  United  States,  are  such  as  to  excite  in  every 
mind  the  most  gratifying  and  patriotic  sentiments.  A 
great  and  free  people  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  peace 
and  good  government,  unanimously  bestowing  upon 
their  Chief  Magistrate  in  his  progress  through  the  coun 
try,  the  unsought  and  spontaneous  expressions  of  their 
sood  will  and  confidence,  offers  unequivocal  evidence 
of  general  happiness  and  freedom,  and  is  a  spectacle 
which  no  country  in  the  world,  except  our  own,  can 
now  exhibit. 

The  history  of  the  United  States  affords  the  most 
consoling  assurances  that  the  attachment  of  the  people 
to  the  principles  of  Liberty  and  to  the  blessings  of  a 
tranquil  and  well  ordered  government,  founded  upon 
the  will  and  choice  of  tlje  majority,  arises  from  ration 
al  conviction  and  experience,  and  rests  upon  the  solid 
foundation  of  early  and  general  education,  and  good 
moral  habits. 

The  proofs  which  you  every  where  receive  of  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  the  people,  and  of  their  re 
verence  for  our  republican  institutions,  must  be  to  your 
own  mind  a  source  of  the  highest  satisfaction,  and  a 
rich  reward  for  all  your  arduous  labours  in  the  public 
service.  May  you  long  continue  to  receive  these  re 
wards,  so  grateful  to  your  heart,  and  so  honourable  to 
your  character,  and  to  witness  the  increasing  prosper!- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  14J 

try  of  the  Republic,  to  whose  service,  in  the  field  and  in 
the  Cabinet,  both  your  youth  and  your  mature  age  have 
been  so  faithfully,  and  so  successfully  devoted. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be  with  the  highest  respect, 
in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Providence,  your 
most  obedient  and  humble  servants. 
Signed  by  the  Committee. 

The  President's  answer*. 

GENTLEMEN  : 

I  receive  with  great  satisfaction  the  address  which 
the  citizens  of  Providence,  through  their  Committee, 
have  been  pleased  to  communicate  to  me.  The  pleas 
ure  of  my  journey  has  been  greatly  enhanced  by  the 
uniform  kindness  and  promptitude  with  which  the  ob 
jects  of  my  visit  have  been  seconded  by  my  fellow  citi- 
izens.  Every  where  in  our  country  the  reflecting  mind 
cannot  fail  to  observe  the  blessings  of  a  free  govern 
ment.  Living  under  a  Constitution  which  secures 
equal  civil,  religious  and  political  rights  to  all,  it  is  a 
great  consolation  in  administering  it,  that  the  people 
have  formed  so  just  an  estimate  of  its  value,  and  from 
rational  conviction  and  not  from  blind  prejudices,  are 
sincerely  devoted  to  its  preservation. 

I  hope  that  this  just  confidence  in  the  stability  of  our 
government  may  continue  to  increase  ;  and  if  it  does,  it 
cannot  fail  to  produce  the  happiest  effects  by  encoura 
ging  a  love  of  our  country,  and  an  honest  zeal  to  pro 
mote  its  best  and  permanent  interests.  Happy  shall  I 
be,  if  my  exertions  in  the  public  service  shall  be  so  far 
successful,  that  they  may  assist  the  industry  and  enter- 
prize  of  my  fellow  citizens,  in  increasing  the  general 
prosperity. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

To  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Providence. 

Providence  is  situated  at  the  head  of  ship  navigation, 
upon  Providence  river,  which  divides  the  town  into 
two  sections,  being  connected  together  by  a  bridge.  It 


144  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

owes  its  settlement  to  the  same  cause  which  drew  the 
ancient  Puritans  from  their  native  land  to  New  England 
— religious  intolerance.  "The  first  planters  of  New- 
England,"  could  not  endure  the  "  act  of  uniformity"  in 
their  own  country,  and  fled  here  to  enjoy  civil  and  re 
ligious  liberty.  "  The  act  of  uniformity  (says  the  most 
modern  eulogist  of  the  Puritans)  rigorously  enforced, 
was  the  fatal  rock  upon  which  the  English  Church  foun 
dered"*  But  no  sooner  had  the  Puritans  began  to  ex 
ercise  ecclesiastical  dominion  themselves,  than  they 
claimed  a  submissive  acquiescence  in  their  own  reli 
gious  creed.  ROGER  WILLIAMS,  an  eminent  minister 
in  Salem,  "  being  unwilling  to  renounce  or  conceal  the 
sentiments  which  he  entertained,"}  but,  like  an  independ 
ent  Christian,  determining  to  form  his  own  belief  upon 
divine  revelation,  untrammelled  from  the  mysterious, 
and  inexplicable  systems  formed  by  human  creatures  as 
imperfect  as  himself,  he  was  banished  from  the  colony 
of  Massachusetts  by  its  government,  in  1635.  He  is  ad 
mitted,  by  the  work  referred  to,  to  have  been  "  a  man  of 
considerable  ability  and  learning,  active  and  diligent  in 
his  pursuits,  humane  and  benevolent  in  his  character." 
But  he  was  a  non-conformist ! 

That  the  English  government  should  have  transport 
ed  MUIR  and  PALMER  to  Botany  Bay  for  reading  "  The 
Rights  of  Man,"  disseminating  its  exalted  principles  in 
that  country,  and  wishing  to  see  man  emancipated  from 
bondage,  is  not  surprising.  But,  that  the  government 
of  a  commonwealth,  expressly  founded  upon  the  two 
great  pillars  of  civil  liberty,  and  religious  freedom. 

*  Hist.  "  First  Planters  of  New-Ecg)and,"  page  24 
t  Ibid,  page  96. 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUR.  145 

should  drive  from  its  bosom  an  unoffending  citizen,  who 
could  not,  conscientiously,  conform  to  the  canonical  in 
stitutes  of  that  day,  excites  the  astonishment  of  a  reader 
in  the  nineteenth  century.  Mrs.  Hutchinson  had  been 
banished  also  from  the  mother  colony  for  "  errors"  of 
opinion  only.  The  eminent  WILLIAM  CODDINGTON,  who 
adopted  her  opinions,  left  the  colony  ;  and,  with  the  aid 
of  the  benevolent  Williams,  settled  Rhode-Island,  which 
being  connected  with  Providence  plantations,  formed  a 
new  colony,  and  obtained  a  charter  in  1643.  The  State 
of  Rhode-Island,  in  the  revolutionary  contest,  was  with 
out  a  rival  in  patriotism. 

Roger  Williams,  having  experienced  but  little  of  the 
tender  mercies  of  man,  in  gratitude  to  Heaven,  named 
this  place  PROVIDENCE.  In  a  commercial  point  of  view, 
it  exceeds  any  interior  town  in  New-England.  The 
trade  to  the  East  Indies  has  been  prosecuted  by  the  cit 
izens  of  this  place  to  an  extent  tidily  surprising.  Brown's 
University  in  this  town  maintains  a  respectable  rank 
with  the  seminaries  of  New-England.  The  cotton  man 
ufactories  here,  were  the  first  of  any  consequence  estab 
lished  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  are  still  prosecuted 
with  great  vigour.  Population  in  1810,  10,000.  The 
President  left  this  place  upon  the  first  of  July,  and  pro 
ceeded  towards  Boston. 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  thinking  it  impro 
per  that  the  CHIEF  MAGISTRATE  OF  THE  UNION  should 
owe  the  flattering  reception  he  was  sure  to  meet  with 
in  this  ancient  commonwealth,  to  republican  munifi 
cence,  and  individual  hospitality,  passed  a  resolution 
directing  the  proper  authorities  to  escort  the  President 
N 


146  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

through  the  State,  and  to  draw  upon  the  Treasury  for  a 
reimbursement  of  the  expense.  He  entered  the  State, 
and  was  conducted  to  Boston  in  the  following  manner  : 

"  The  President,  on  his  arrival  at  the  lines  of  the 
State,  was  received  by  Colonel  Sumner,  Aid-de-Camp 
to  his  Excellency  the  Governour,  who,  by  his  com 
mand,  bid  the  President  welcome  to  Massachusetts, 
requested  him  to  accept  the  escort  which  the  Govern- 
our  had  ordered  for  him  through  the  State,  and  offered 
his  services  as  an  attendant  on  the  President  on  his 
way  to  the  Capital,  which  was  accepted,  and  the  atten 
tion  of  the  Governour  acknowledged  by  the  President 
with  the  greatest  urbanity.  After  this  ceremony,  the 
President  reviewed  a  body  of  the  militia,  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier  General  Lincoln,  of  the  fifth 
division,  consisting  of  a  detachment  of  Cavalry  of  fifty- 
eight  rank  and  file,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Hunt, 
ofSeekonk;  Captain  Walker's  company  of  Artillery, 
from  Norton,  a  company  of  Light  Infantry,  from  Eas- 
ton,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Alger,  a  company 
of  Light  Infantry,  from  Rehoboth,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Carpenter,  and  a  Rifle  Company  from  Attlebor- 
ough,  under  command  of  Capt.  Daggett,  forming  a  bat 
talion  under  command  of  Colonel  Leach,  of  Easton  ;  af 
ter  receiving  the  marching  and  standing  salutes,  the  offi 
cers  and  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  neighbourhood  were 
introduced  to  the  President,  who  then  visited  the  ex 
tensive  Cotton  Factory,  under  the  agency  of  Timothy 
Green.  Capt.  Hunt's  cavalry  then  escorted  the  Presi 
dent,  preceded  by  the  Marshal  of  the  District,  to  Col. 
Hatch's  in  Attleborough,  through  the  fifth  Division. 
Following  the  President,  were  a  number  of  citizens  of 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  147 

the  town  of  Seekonk  and  Attleborough  on  horseback. 
Captain  Hunt's  Cavalry  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  and 
the  President,  after  passing  through  them,  alighted,  and 
received  the  respects  of  a  number  of  attending  citizens, 
gentlemen  of  that  town.  In  a  few  moments  after  the 
President,  having  received  the  salutations  of  Major 
General  Crane,  and  Brigadier  General  Guild,  of  the 
second  brigade,  first  division,  was  escorted  through 
General  Guild's  brigade  by  a  battalion  of  Cavalry,  com 
manded  by  Maj.  Pond.  At  Wrentham,  he  reviewed  the 
third  regiment  of  Infantry  of  the  second  brigade,  com 
manded  by  Colonel  Go  wen,  partook  of  a  collation,  pro 
vided  in  a  style  of  village  simplicity  by  the  Selectmen 
of  that  town.  At  Walpole,  he  halted  a  few  moments 
at  Clapp's  Inn,  where  a  number  of  citizens  of  the 
neighbourhood  were  introduced  to  him  ;  and  then  con 
tinued  his  route  to  Dedham,  where  he  arrived  at  7 
o'clock,  P.  M.  His  arrival  was  announced  by  a  na 
tional  salute  from  the  battalion  of  Artillery,  commanded 
by  Maj.  Holbrook.  He  then  reviewed  the  regiment 
of  Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Fisher  ;  a 
battalion  of  Artillery,  commanded  by  Major  Holbrook, 
and  the  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Major  Pond  ;  and  took 
up  his  quarters  for  the  night,  at  the  elegant  mansion  of 
Mr.  Dowse,  where  a  committee  from  the  town  of  Sa 
lem,  Major  General  Dearborn,  and  a  great  number  of 
other  gentlemen,  paid  their  respects  to  him.  It  is  but 
justice  to  the  troops  reviewed,  to  say  that  their  conduct 
was  not  only  military,  but  highly  exemplary. 

In  the  morning,  the  President  proceeded  on  foot  to 
Mr.  Polly's  Inn,  where  a  number  of  the  citizens  of  the 
town  and  country,  the  officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy, 


J48  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

and  about  150  of  the  officers  of  the  first  division,  were 
introduced  to  him.  Escorted  by  a  battalion  of  Cavalry, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Hollis,  from  General  Dear 
born's  brigade,  the  President,  and  Com.  Bainbridge, 
Gen.  Miller,  Mr.  Mason,  his  Secretary,  and  Col.  Sum- 
ner,  his  Staff,  (designated  by  him  for  the  occasion)  fol 
lowed  by  his  suite,  consisting  of  the  officers  of  the  Army 
and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  followed  by  Major  Gen 
eral  Crane,  and  the  officers  of  the  first  division,  and  a 
number  of  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  county,  on  horseback, 
proceeded  to  Roxbury,  where  he  reviewed  a  regiment 
of  infantry,  commanded  by  Col.  Dudley,  and  a  battalion 
of  artillery,  commanded  by  Maj.  Gale  ;  from  thence  he 
proceeded  to  the  Boston  lines,  passing  through  the 
Guard,  consisting  of  Capt.  Turner's  Light  Infantry 
company  from  Quincy." 

In  this  splendid  manner  was  the  President  escorted 
from  the  southern  boundary  of  Massachusetts  to  its  cap 
ital,  receiving  that  respect  which  it  had  been  enjoined 
upon  the  official  authorities  to  manifest  by  a  legislative 
decree. 

He  had  before  passed  through  a  part  of  the  States  of 
Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  JVete> Jersey,  New-York,  Con 
necticut,  and  Rhode-Island.  He  had  visited  their  cap 
itals,  and  those  parts  of  them  most  exposed  to  the  in 
cursions  of  an  enemy  from  the  ocean,  in  order  to  enable 
him  to  determine  upon  the  best  mode  of  defending  them. 

He  had  every  where  witnessed  unequivocal  indica- 
cations  of  the  attachment  and  respect  of  a  patriotic  peo 
ple  ;  and  this  respect  must  have  been  highly  grateful 
to  his  feelings,  when  he  knew  that  it  was  voluntary. 


PRESIDENT  S    TOt'R. 


149 


When  he  entered  the  commonwealth  of  Massachusetts, 
he  was  respected  by  command  of  The  Supreme  power  of 
the  State.  It  would  be,  perhaps,  too  fastidious  to  enquire 
why  the  legislature  of  a  State,  that  had  more  dedm>d1.y 
opposed  the  measures  of  the  President  than  any  other 
in  the  Union,  should  be  the  only  one  to  command  the 
people  to  respect  him.  It  is  enough  to  say,  he  was  thus 
respected  ;  and  that  no  human  heart  can  remain  un 
moved,  when  an  antagonist  offers  the  hand  of  reconcil 
iation.  It  is  at  such  a  time,  that  the  divine  maxim — 
"  to  err  is  human,  to  forgive  divine,"  is  called  into  prac 
tice.  Should  it  be  asked  why  the  treasures  of  the  State, 
collected  from  every  district  in  it,  should  be  expended 
for  the  gratification  of  a  few  ?  It  may  also  be  asked, 
would  any  citizen  of  the  State,  withhold  his  mite  to  re 
ceive  the  Chief  Dignitary  of  the  greatest  Republic, 
and  perhaps  the  only  one  on  earth,  in  a  manner  suita 
ble  to  his  exalted  station. 

The  manner  of  his  reception  in  the  town  of  Boston 
is  thus  described  by  one  of  its  own  editors. 

"  A  few  minutes  past  12  o'clock,  the  President  reach 
ed  the  southern  barrier  of  the  town,  and  was  met  by 
the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  when  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Otis,  from  the  Committee,  addressed  him  as  follows  : — 

SIR — You  are  now  arrived  within  the  limits  of  Bos 
ton,  and  these  gentlemen  are  a  Committee  appointed 
to  welcome  your  approach,  and  to  escort  }'ou  to  your 
lodgings.  Upon  your  arrival  there,  they  will  avail 
themselves  of  your  permission,  to  express  to  you,  in  a 
more  formal  and  respectful  mode,  than  can  be  done 
here,  the  assurances  of  the  unfeigned  satisfaction  which 
the  citizens  of  Boston  realize  in  the  honour  you  have 
been  pleased  to  confer  upon  them  by  this  visit. 
N  2 


15U  .  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR, 

"  A  procession  was  then  immediately  formed,  and 
the  illustrious  visitant  escorted  to  the  Exchange  Cof 
fee  House. 

The  procession  proceeded  through  Washington 
street,  and  Orange  street,  to  Boylston  market ;  thence 
through  Boyiston  street,  to  an  opening  in  the  Com 
mon,  between  the  Mall  and  Gun-house  ;  through  lines, 
formed  by  the  scholars  of  the  different  schools,  in  Bos 
ton,  attended  by  their  several  instructors  ;  northward 
ly  over  the  Common,  toward  the  State  House,  to  a 
point  opposite  the  west  end  of  Winter  street ;  thence 
across  the  Mall,  through  Winter  street,  Marlborough 
street,  and  Cornhill  ;  north  side  of  the  old  State  House, 
and  State  street,  and  by  the  east  side  of  Broad  street, 
as  far  as  Milk  street ;  thence  by  the  west  side  of  Broad 
street,  to  State  street,  and  by  the  south  side  of  State 
street,  to  the  head  of  Congress  street,  where  the  Pre 
sident  left  the  procession,  with  the  Committee  of  Ar 
rangements,  who  were  received  by  the  Independent 
Company  of  Cadetts,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Rogers,  with 
the  customary  salutes,  and  conducted  to  the  rooms  in 
the  Exchange  Coffee  House,  which  had  been  provided 
for  the  President's  reception. 

During  the  march  of  the  cavalcade,  salutes  were 
fired  from  Dorchester  Heights,  from  the  Common, 
Fort  Independence,  Navy  Yard,  and  74  gun  ship.  On 
passing  through  State-street,  which  was  fancifully  de 
corated  wifh  flags  of  the  United  States,  a  band  of  mu 
sic  placed  in  the  balcony,  fronting  the  Union  Bank, 
saluted  the  President,  as  he  passed,  with  a  number  of 
appropriate  and  patriotic  airs. 


PRESIDENT'S    TOUR,  151 

The  nvmerous  merchant  vessels  in  our  harbour,  ho 
noured  the  occasion  by  a  display  of  their  flags. 

A  finer  day  could  not  have  intervened  to  add  brillian 
cy  and  eclat  to  the  interesting  scene. 

The  crowd  of  spectators  in  the  street,  through 
which  the  procession  passed,  and  more  particularly  on 
the  Common,  was  much  greater  than  has  been  witness 
ed  in  this  place,  since  the  visit  of  the  sainted  Wash 
ington.  Notwithstanding  this  circumstance,  the  utmost 
decorum  prevailed  ;  and  the  procession  was  conducted 
throughout,  with  an  order,  precision,  and  regularity, 
that  peculiarly  marked  the  intelligence  by  which  it  was 
directed.  On  entering  the  Common,  and  passing  thro' 
the  lines,  skirted  and  adorned  by  the  youths  of  Boston, 
the  pride  and  hope  of  their  sires,  and  of  the  State,  the 
scene  became  affectingly  interesting,  and  was  partici 
pated  in,  by  a  more  numerous  concourse  of  people, 
than  we  ever  recollect  to  have  seen  on  that  green  and 
picturesque  area.  The  houses,  situated  adjacent  to  the 
line  of  march,  were  filled  to  repletion. 

Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  President,  at  his 
rooms  in  the  Exchange,  he  accompanied  the  Com 
mittee  of  Arrangements  to  the  second  gallery  of  that 
magnificent  building,  where  Mr.  Bulfinch,  the  Chair 
man  of  that  Committee,  read  to  him  an  Address,  in  be 
half  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  congratulating  him  on 
his  arrival  within  the  metropolis  of  Massachusetts  ;  to 
which  the  President  made  an  immediate  reply.  A 
large  concourse  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  filling  the  1st, 
3d,  and  4th  galleries,  as  well  as  the  area.  Col.  Aus 
tin.,  on  the  President  retiring,  gratified  the  audience  by 


152  PRESIDENT'S  xoyit. 

a  second  reading   of  the   address  and  answer,   which 
were  received  by  repeated  bursts  of  acclamation. 

At  5  o'clock  the  President  sat  down  to  dinner  with  a  • 
number  of  his  guests,  among  which  were  the  Commit 
tee  of  the  town,  the  late  President  Adams,  Governour 
Brooks,  Lieut.  Gov.  Phillips,  Maj.  Gen.  Dearborn, 
Commodores  Bainbridge  and  Perry,  Capt.  Hull,  Gen. 
Miller,  President  of  Harvard  University,  the  Judges 
of  the  United  States  and  State  Courts,  Members  of  the 
Executive  Council,  Marshal  of  the  District,  and  Sher 
iff  of  the  County,  President  of  the  Senate,  and  Speak 
er  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  several  of  the 
Rev.  Clergy,  and  civil  officers  of  the  United  States, 
and  many  of  the  civil  and  military  officers  of  the  State, 
and  others,  whose  names  we  have  not  ascertained/' 

The  following  is  the  Address  delivered  to  the  Pres 
ident. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  citizens  of  Boston,  by  their  Committee, 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  beg  leave  to  offer  to  you 
their  cordial  and  respectful  salutations,  upon  your  ar 
rival  in  this  metropolis. 

The  visit  with  which  you  are  pleased  to  honour 
them,  recalls  to  the  recollection  of  many,  their  inter 
view  with  your  illustrious  predecessor,  the  Father  of 
his  Country,  on  a 'similar  occasion.  They  remember 
with  great  satisfaction,  the  hope,  the  confidence,  and 
the  fond  anticipation  of  national  prosperity,  which 
his  presence  inspired  ;  and  it  is  now,  Sir,  a  subject  of 
congratulation  to  you,  and  to  themselves,  that  after 
thirty  years  of  eventful  experiment,  during  conflicts 
and  revolutions  in  the  old  world,  which  have  threat- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  153 

ened  all,  and  subverted  many  of  its  ancient  govern 
ments,  the  Constitution,  which  was  adopted  under  the 
auspices  of  that  great  man,  has  acquired  vigour  and 
maturity,  and  that  in  a  season  of  profound  peace,  his 
successor  is  permitted,  by  the  prosperous  state  of  pub 
lic  affairs,  to  follow  his  example,  in  visiting  the  exten 
sive  country  over  which  he  has  recently  been  called  to 
preside. 

While  this  journey  affords  to  many  of  your  fellow 
citizens,  the  opportunity  and  advantage  of  commenc 
ing  with  you  a  personal  acquaintance,  which  is  always 
desirable  between  a  people  and  their  rulers,  they  re 
joice  at  the  same  time  in  the  belief,  that  the  local  in 
formation,  relative  to  the  great  and  various  interests 
of  the  United  States,  which  you  will  derive  from  actual 
observation,  will  facilitate  your  arrangements  for  their 
defence  and  security  ;  and  enable  you  to  apply  in  prac 
tice,  with  additional  confidence  and  success,  those 
principles  of  an  elevated  and  impartial  policy,  which 
you  have  been  pleased  to  promulgate,  as  the  basis  of 
your  intended  administration. 

Called  -to  the  service  of  your  country  at  an  early 
period  of  life,  and  distinguished  in  the  arduous  struggle 
which  obtained  its  independence,  your  subsequent  oc 
cupations,  in  successive  important  offices,  and  various 
departments,  at  home  and  abroad,  have  afforded  you 
the  means  of  becoming  conversant  with  the  foreign  and 
domestic  relations  of  the  nation  ;  and  with  these  quali 
fications,  you  are  now  raised  to  the  highest  dignity, 
which  can  be  conferred  by  a  free  people. 

These  public  claims  to  consideration  and  attention, 
from  all  descriptions  of  your  fellow  citizens,  are  cheer 
fully  admitted  by  the  citizens  of  Boston  ;  who  are  also 
desirous  of  evincing  their  respect  for  the  unblemished 
tenor  of  your  private  character,  and  their  sense  of  the 
urbanity  and  hospitality,  which  peculiarly  characterized 
your  deportment  toward  all  those  of  your  countrymen, 
who,  during  the  period  of  your  foreign  embassies, 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  come  within  the  sphere  of  your 
civilities  and  protection. 

It  is,  therefore,  with  real  satisfaction,  that  they  re- 


154  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

ceive  you  within  the  precincts  of  Boston  ;  and  they 
pray  you  to  be  assured  of  their  earnest  solicitude,  to 
contribute  by  all  the  means  at  their  command,  to  your 
comfort  and  enjoyment,  during  your  residence  in  this 
town. 

They,  also,  confiding  in  the  rectitude  of  your  inten 
tions,  and  trusting;  that  the  powers  vested  in  you  by  the 
Constitution,  will  be  exercised  with  a  sincere  regard  to 
the  welfare  of  the  people,  whose  precious  interests 
are  committed  to  your  charge,  avail  themselves  of  this 
occasion,  to  express  their  ardent  hope,  that  the  favour 
able  circumstances  which  attend  the  commencement  of 
your  administration,  may,  with  the  blessing  of  Heaven, 
under  your  guidance,  concur  to  promote  the  advance 
ment  of  our  beloved  country,  to  the  highest  possible 
condition  of  prosperity. 

With  these  sentiments,  they  unite  their  best  wishes 
for  your  health  and  happiness  ;  and  that  the  course  and 
close  of  your  administration,  may  entitle  you  to  the 
gratitude  and  affection  of  your  constituents,  and  the 
respect  of  posterity. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

CHARLES  BULFINCH,  Chairman. 


To  which  the  President  was  pleased  to  make  the  following 
Reply. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  ; 

The  kind  reception  which  you  have  given  me,  on 
the  part  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  and  which  their  con 
duct  has  so  fully  confirmed,  has  made  a  deep  and  last 
ing  impression  on  my  mind,  which  you  will  have  the 
goodness  to  communicate  to  them. 

As  no  person  is  more  willing  than  I  am,  in  the  dis 
charge  of  my  duty,  according  to  the  fair  exercise  of  my 
judgment,  to  take  example  from  the  conduct  of  the  dis 
tinguished  men  who  have  preceded  me  in  this  high 
trust,  it  is  particularly  gratifying  to  me,  to  have  recall 
ed,  by  this  incident,  to  the  memony  of  many,  who  are 
now  present,  alike  visit  from  the  illustrious  commander 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  155 

of  our  revolutionary  army  ;  who,  by  many  other  im 
portant  services,  had  so  just  a  claim  to  the  revered  title 
of  father  of  his  country.  It  was  natural,  that  the  pres 
ence  of  a  citizen,  so  respected  and  beloved,  who  had 
so  eminently  contributed  to  the  establishment  of  this 
government,  and  to  whom  its  administration,  in  the  com 
mencement,  had  been  committed,  should  inspire  an  en 
lightened,  a  virtuous,  and  free  people,  with  unlimited 
confidence  in  its  success  ;  and  it  is  a  cause  of  general 
felicitation,  and  joy  to  us  all,  to  find  that  thirty  years 
successful  experiment,  have  justified  that  confidence, 
and  realized  our  most  sanguine  hopes  in  its  favour. 
Yes,  fellow  citizens,  we  instituted  a  government  for  the 
benefit  of  all  ;  a  government  which  should  secure  to 
us  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  our  rights,  religious  and 
civil  ;  and  it  has  been  so  administered.  Let  us,  then, 
unite  in  grateful  acknowledgements  to  the  Supreme 
Author  of  all  good,  jfor  extending  to  us  so  great  a  bless 
ing.  Let  us  unite  in  fervent  prayers,  that  He  will  be 
graciously  pleased  to  continue  that  blessing  to  us,  and 
to  our  latest  posterity. 

I  accepted  the  trust  to  which  I  have  been  called  by 
my  frllow  citizens,  with  diffidence,  because  I  well  knew 
the  frailty  of  human  nature,  and  had  often  experienced 
my  own  deficiences.  I  undertook  this  Tour,  with  a 
view,  and  in  the  hope,  of  acquiring  knowledge,  which 
might  enable  me  to  discharge  my  various  and  important 
duties,  with  greater  advantage  to  my  country,  to  which 
my  whole  mind,  and  unwearied  efforts,  shall  always  be 
directed.  In  pursuing  objects  so  dear  to  us  all,  I  rely 
with  confidence  on  the  firm  and  generous  support  of  my 
fellow  citizens,  throughout  our  happy  Union. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

"  The  following  address  was  presented  to  the  Presi 
dent,  by  a  Committee  consisting  of  the  following  gen 
tlemen  ; — Henry  Dearborn,  Benjamin  Austin,  Thomas 
Melville,  William  Little,  Russel  Sturgiss,  John  Brazer, 
Jacob  Rhoades,  Esquires,  and  Doct.  William  Ingalls." 


156          PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  recent  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Mas 
sachusetts  being  closed  previously  to  your  arrival  in 
Boston,  the  Republican  members  of  both  branches,  are 
deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  personally  paying  their  res 
pects  to  the  President  cf  the  United  States.  Those 
members,  therefore,  who  were  present  at  the  adjourn 
ment,  together  with  a  number  of  their  brethren  in  Bos 
ton,  have  deputed  us  to  offer  you  their  congratulations 
on  your  arrival,  and  to  express  their  high  regards  for 
your  official  and  personal  character. 

We  are  happy,  sir,  in  having  this  opportunity  not 
only  of  expressing  our  sincere  congratulations  on  your 
election  to  the  Chief  Magistracy  of  the  United  States, 
by  so  large  a  majority  of  the  Electors,  but  to  bear  this 
public  testimony  of  our  estimation  of  the  services  ren 
dered  your  country,  in  the  various  stations  in  which 
you  have  heretofore  officiated  in  Europe  and  America. 
These  are  sure  pledges,  that,  the  prosperity  of  the  A- 
merican  Republic  will  be  the  object  of  your  pursuit  ; 
and  that,  while  you  are  desirous  of  allaying  the  asperity 
of  party  dissentions,  you  will  be  anxious  to  maintain  the 
legitimate  principles  of  the  Constitution,  with  unabated 
ardour. 

The  patriot,  who  has  uniformly  supported  the  honour 
of  his  country  in  its  various  conflicts,  is  ever  entitled 
to  the  applause  of  his  fellow  citizens.  Fully  impressed 
with  this  sentiment,  we  gratefully  acknowledge  your 
unremitted  exertions  in  vindicating  our  national  and 
commercial  claims,  when  the  immediate  calls  of  the 
country  rendered  the  services  of  our  most  enlightened 
statesmen,  urgent  and  indispensable.  We  anticipate 
with  pleasure  the  blessings  arising  to  the  United  States, 
from  the  wisdom  and  rectitude  of  your  administration, 
more  particularly  in  patronizing  such  institutions  as  will 
extend  the  useful  branches  of  science  and  literature, 
and  promote  the  agricultural,  manufacturing,  and  com 
mercial  interests  of  your  constituents. 

We  wish  you  every  blessing,  both  national  and  do 
mestic  ;  and  trust  that  your  name  will  be  recorded  in 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUR.  157 

the  American  annals,  with  the  same  respectful  venera 
tion  as  distinguishes  the  characters  of  your  illustrious 
predecessors,  WASHINGTON,  ADAMS,  JEFFERSON,  and 
MADISON. 

May  you  pursue  your  journey  under  the  care  of  a 
benign  Providence,  happy  in  the  reflection,  that  the 
personal  safety  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  republican 
government,  requires  no  other  protection  than  what 
arises  from  the  affections  of  his  fellow  citizens.  In 
behalf  of  our  brethren  and  fellow  citizens,  we  most 
cordially  bid  you  welcome  to  the  metropolis  of  Mas 
sachusetts. 


To  Henry  Dearborn,  Benjamin  Austin,  Thos.  Melville., 
William  Little,  Russel  Sturgiss,  John  Brazer,  Jacob 
Rhoades,  and  William  Ingalls,  Esquires. 

I  have  received,  with  very  great  satisfaction,  the  very 
friendly  welcome  which  you  have  given  me,  on  the 
part  of  some  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature  of 
Massachusetts,  and  of  other  citizens  of  Boston,  who 
had  deputed  you  to  offer  me  their  congratulations  on 
my  arrival  in  this  metropolis. 

Conscious  of  having  exerted  my  best  faculties,  with 
unwearied  zeal,  to  support  the  rights,  and  advance  the 
prosperity  of  my  fellow  citizens,  in  the  various  impor 
tant  trusts  with  which  I  have  been  honoured  by  my 
country ;  the  approbation  which  you  have  expressed 
of  my  conduct,  is  very  gratifying  to  me. 

It  has  been  my  undeviating  effort,  in  every  situa 
tion,  in  which  I  have  been  placed,  to  promote,  to  the 
utmost  of  my  abilities,  the  success  of  our  republican 
government.  I  have  pursued  this  policy,  from  a  tho 
rough  conviction,  that  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of 
the  whole  American  people,  depended  on  the  success 
of  the  great  experiment  which  they  have  been  called 
to  make.  All  impartial  persons  now  bear  testimony  to 
the  extraordinary  blessings  with  which  we  have  been 
favoured.  Well  satisfied  I  am,  that  these  blessings  are 
to  be  imputed  to  the  excellence  of  our  government,  and 


158  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

to  the  wisdom  and  purity  with  which  it  has  been  ad 
ministered. 

Believing  that  there  is  not  a  section  of  our  union, 
nor  a  citizen  wrho  is  not  interested  in  the  success  of  our 
government,  I  indulge  a  strong  hope,  that  they  will 
all  unite  in  future,  in  the  measures  necessary  to  secure 
it.  For  this  very  important  change,  I  consider  the 
circumstances  of  ttie  present  epoch  peculiarly  favour 
able.  The  success  and  unexampled  prosperity  with 
which  we  have  hitherto  been  blessed,  must  have  dis 
pelled  the  doubts  of  all  who  have  before  honestly  enter 
tained  any,  of  the  practicability  of  our  system,  and 
from  these  a  firm  and  honourable  co-operation  may 
fairly  be  expected.  Our  union  has  also  acquired,  of 
late,  much  strength.  The  proofs  which  have  been  af 
forded,  of  the  great  advantages  communicated  by  it, 
to  every  part,  and  of  the  ruin  which  would  inevitably  and 
promptly  overwhelm,  even  the  parts  most  favoured,  if 
it  should  be  broken,  seem  to  have  carried  conviction 
home  to  the  bosoms  of  the  most  unbelieving.  On  the 
means  necessary  to  secure  success,  and  to  advance  with 
increased  rapidity,  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  our 
country  ;  there  seems  now  to  be  but  little,  if  any  dif- 
ierence  of  opinion. 

It  is  on  these  grounds,  that  1  indulge  a  strong  hope, 
and  even  entertain  great  confidence,  that  our  principal 
dangers  and  difficulties  have  passed,  and  that  the  cha 
racter  of  our  deliberations,  and  the  course  of  the  go 
vernment  itself,  will  become  more  harmonious  and 
happy,  than  it  has  heretofore  been. 

Satisfied  as  I  am,  that  the  union  of  the  whole  com 
munity,  in  support  of  our  republican  government,  by 
all  wise  and  proper  measures,  will  effectually  secure  it 
from  danger  ;  that  union  is  an  object  to  which  I  look 
with  the  utmost  solicitude.  I  consider  it  my  duty  to 
promote  it,  on  the  principles  and  for  the  purposes  stat 
ed  ;  and  highly  gratified  shall  I  be,  if  it  can  be  obtain 
ed.  In  frankly  avowing  this  motive,  I  owe  it  to  the 
integrity  of  my  views  to  state,  that  as  the  support  of 
our  republican  government  is  my^le  object,  and  in 
which  I  consider  the  whole  community  equally  inter- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  159 

ested,  my  conduct  will  be  invariably  directed  to  that 
end.  In  seeking  to  accomplish  so  great  an  object,  I 
shall  be  careful  to  avoid  such  measures  as  may,  by  any 
possibility,  sacrifice  it. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

The  President  remained  a  number  of  days  in  the 
town  of  Boston  and  its  vicinity.  His  object  in  visiting 
it,  was  not  to  excite  the  curiosity  of  its  citizens,  or  to 
give  them  an  opportunity  of  displaying  the  hospitality, 
for  which  they  have  always  been  celebrated.  He  went 
there  as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great  country,  to 
view  its  location,  and,  with  the  united  counsel  of  the 
first  military  and  naval  characters,  to  devise  the  best 
means  of  defending  a  place  of  so  much  consequence  to 
the  Northern  and  Eastern  States.  Had  the  President 
wished  to  pass  off  a  season  in  all  the  blandishments  of 
etiquette,  and  in  all  the  ceremonious  forms  of  modern 
high  life,  surely,  he  could  not,  in  all  his  extensive  na 
tive  country,  have  placed  himself  in  a  situation  more 
favourable  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  wishes,  than 
in  Boston,  and  its  vicinity.  If  there  be  a  place  in  the 
world,  where  extensive  wealth  is  made  an  instrument 
of  procuring  elegant  enjoyment,  it  is  there. 

But  while  the  President,  in  the  most  courteous  and 
affable  manner,  received  and  acknowledged  the  nu 
merous  manifestations  of  private  hospitality,  his  mind 
was  undeviatingly  fixed  upon  the  great  object  of  hig 
Tour  ;  the  advancement  of  the  public  interest.  During 
his  residence,  he  visited  most  of  the  important  manufac 
tories  in  the  town,  and  in  its  neighbourhood.  In  the 
places  at  which  the  President,  in  his  Tour,  made  any 
stay,  his  first  attention  was  given  to  objects  of  national 


i60  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

defence  ;  but  his  next  was  devoted  to  the  various  ma 
nufacturing  establishments.  On  this  subject  he  has 
expressed  not  only  his  delight,  but  his  surprize  at  their 
extent  and  improvement.  He  mentioned,  I  am  told, 
at  Waltham,  that  a  few  such  establishments  as  he  there 
saw,  would  be  sufficient  to  supply  the  United  States 
with  cotton  fabrics.  He  renewed  his  acquaintance  with 
many  of  his  early  revolutionary  associates,  and,  at 
many  private  parties,  witnessed  that  elegance  and  re 
finement,  which  is  in  no  way  inconsistent  with  republi 
can  simplicity,  the  most  striking  characteristic  of  the 
President. 

It  would  be  too  much  in  the  style  of  an  English  Tour 
ist,  describing  the  visits  of  a  Prince,  to  designate  every 
splendid  mansion,  and  every  brilliant  party  he  honour 
ed  and  adorned  by  his  presence. 

"  The  Cincinnati  of  Massachusetts  were  presented 
to  him,  .when  Colonel  Tudor,  Vice  President  of  the 
Society,  (the  President,  Governour  Brooks,  being  on 
other  public  duty)  presented  to  him  the  following  Ad 
dress." 

TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — Whilst  meeting  you,  as  one  of  the  most  distin 
guished  brothers,  permit  us  especially  to  thank  you 
for  furnishing  an  opportunity  of  saluting  another  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  United  States  taken  from  our  ranks  ; 
and  to  offer  to  you  all  the  assurances  of  respect  and  af 
fection,  which  it  becomes  a  Society  like  ours  to  present, 
and  which  we  pray  you  to  accept  as  flowing  from  hearts, 
first  united  by  the  powerful  sympathies  of  common  toils 
and  dangers.  Although  time  is  fast  reducing  our  ori- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR/  161 

ginal  associates,  we  trust  that  while  one  remains,  he 
will  never  desert  i#he  standard  of  Freedom  and  his 
Country  ;  or  our  ions  forget  the  sacred  duties  their 
sires  had  sworn  to  discharge.  We  fought  to  obtain  se 
curity,  self-government,  and  political  happiness,  and 
the  man  who  can  approve  both  the  principles  and  the 
means,  can  never  be  indifferent  to  the  social  designs 
which  such  a  warfare  contemplated  ;  for  among  those 
purposes  were  included  the  restoration  of  good  humour, 
good  manners,  good  neighbourhood,  polished  integrity, 
with  a  spirit  of  mild  and  manly  patriotism. 

We  congratulate  you,  as  the  highest  representative 
of  our  beloved  country,  that  party  animosity  has,  on  all 
sides,  so  far  subsided,  before  the  Day  Star  of  sound  na 
tional  policy  :  and  we  look  with  confidence  to  a  wise 
and  liberal  administration  of  the  Presidency  to  produce 
its  termination. 

And  now,  sir,  in  bidding  you  a  long  farewell — for, 
from  our  lessening  numbers,  such  another  occasion  can 
scarcely  again  occur,  we  join  our  best  wishes,  that 
when  you  shall  seek  a  retreat  from  the  honourable  fa 
tigues  of  public  energies,  in  which  so  large  a  portion  of 
your  life  has  been  employed,  that  your  retirement  may 
be  accompanied  by  the  applause  of  the  wise,  and  the 
concurrent  blessings  of  a  prosperous  and  united  re 
publican  empire. 


ANSWER 

of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  the  address  from 
the  Society  of  Cincinnati. 

SIR — The  affectionate  address  of  my  brothers  of  the 
Cincinnati,  awakens  in  my  mind  the  most  grateful  emo 
tions.  No  approbation  can  be  more  dear  to  me,  than 
that  of  those  with  whom  I  have  had  the  honour  to  share 
the  common  toils  and  perils  of  the  war  for  our  indepen 
dence.  We  were  embarked  in  the  same  sacred  cause 
of  Liberty,  and  we  have  lived  to  enjoy  the  reward  of 
our  common  labours. 

Many  of  our  companions  in  arms,  fell  in  the  field  be- 
O  2 


162  PRESIDENT'S  TOU.K. 

fore  our  independence  was  achieved,  and  many,  less 
fortunate  than  ourselves,  lived  notHo  witness  the  per 
fect  fulfilment  of  their  hopes  in  "the  prosperity  and 
happiness  of  our  country.  You  do  but  justice  to  your 
selves  in  claiming  the  confidence  of  your  country,  that 
you  can  never  desert  the  standard  of  freedom.  You 
fought  to  obtain  it,  in  times  when  men's  hearts  and 
principles  were  severely  tried  ;  and  your  public  sac 
rifices  and  honourable  actions  are  the  best  pledges  of 
your  sincere  and  devoted  attachment  to  our  excellent 
constitution. 

May  your  children  never  forget  the  sacred  duties  de 
volved  on  them,  to  preserve  the  inheritance  so  gallantly 
acquired  by  their  fathers.  May  they  cultivate  the  same 
manly  patriotism,  the  same  disinterested  friendship,  and 
the  same  political  integrity,  which  has  distinguished 
you,  and  that  unite  in  perpetuating  that  social  concord, 
and  public  virtue,  on  which  the  future  prosperity  of 
our  country  must  so  essentially  depend. 

I  feel,  most  deeply,  the  truth  of  the  melancholy  sug 
gestion,  that  we  shall  probably  meet  no  more.  While, 
however,  we  remain  in  life,  1  shall  continue  to  hope 
for  your  continuance  and  support,  so  far  as  my  public 
conduct  may  entitle  me  to  your  confidence,  and  in  bid 
ding  you  farewell,  I  pray  a  kind  Providence  long  to 
preserve  your  valuable  lives  for  the  honour  and  bene 
fit  of  our  country. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

«*  The  41st  anniversary  of  American  Independence 
was  celebrated  in  this  town  with  unusual  festivity,  the 
demonstrations  being  heightened  by  the  participation 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  them.  At  sun 
rise,  noon,  and  sunset,  national  salutes  were  fired  from 
the  Forts,  Navy- Yard,  and  Independence,  74.  The 
procession  of  the  Supreme  Executive  of  the  State  was 
splendid  and  full — and  was  joined  by  the  President  and 
suite,  and  the  Cincinnati,  in  the  Meeting-House  ;  where, 


PRESIDENT^    TOUR.  163 

after  prayers  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parkman,  an  eloquent 
and  patriotic  Oration  was  pronounced  by  Edward  T. 
Channing,  Esq.  in  a  style  of  oratory,  chastened  by  sci 
ence,  and  modulated  by  taste.  The  procession  joined 
by  the  President,  £.c.  was  then  escorted  by  the  Inde 
pendent  Company  of  Cadets,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Rogers, 
to  the  State-House,  where  a  sumptuous  and  splendid 
collation  was  provided  by  Mr.  Foster,  of  Concert  Hall, 
and  at  which  about  six  hundred  partook. 

The  saloon,  under  the  Representatives'  Hall,  was 
elegantly  prepared  for  the  occasion,  and  ornamented 
with  great  judgment  and  taste,  with  the  implements  of 
war,  surmounted  by  the  emblems  of  peace,  and  the 
symbols  of  plenty  and  happiness. 

At  the  table,  the  folio  wing  toasts,  among  others,  were 
given. 

By  his  excellency  the  Governour. — The  day  and  the 
recollection  of  the  events  and  characters  which  this  an 
niversary  recalls  , uniting  all  hearts. 

By  the  President  of  the  United  States. — The  Common 
wealth  of  Massachusetts  ;  whose  sons  so  eminently  con 
tributed  to  the  Independence  we  this  day  celebrate. 

On  the  President's  visiting  the  Independence,  74, 
she  remained  without  ornament  during  his  approach, 
but  at  the  instant  of  his  stepping  on  board,  the  Commo 
dore's  broad  pendant  was  struck,  and  the  national  Flag 
was  hoisted  at  the  main-top-gallant  mast  head,  and  the 
numerous  decoration  colours  were  run  up,  the  yards 
manned,  and  a  federal  salute  fired.  On  his  leaving  the 
ship,  the  Commodore's  broad  pendant  was  again  hoisted 
in  the  place  of  the  National  Standard." 

The  President  visited  the  town  of  Charlestown. 


164  PRESIDENT'S  TOUK. 

"At  the  dock  yard  gate  he  was  taken   up  by  an  es 
cort  of  Cavalry,  from  General    Austin's  brigade,  and 
made  his  entrance  into  that  interesting  town. 

At  the  extremity  of  the  Square,  a  civic  arch  of  ever 
greens,  was  thrown  across  the  street,  covered  with  gar 
lands  of  flowers,  and  bearing  the  inscription,  "  \lth, 
June,  1775,"  (alluding  to  the  destruction  of  the  town 
on  that  day.)  Upon  the  opposite  side,  "  National 
Prosperity."  Here  the  Committee  of  the  town,  on 
horseback,  met  the  President,  when  their  Chairman, 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Bartlett,  welcomed  him  in  the  following 
address." 

We  have  the  honour,  Sir,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Charlestown,  respecfully  to  welcome  you  to  this 
ancient  settlement,  which  has  once  fallen  a  sacrifice  to 
freedom,  and  still  retains  some  vestiges  of  the  revolu 
tionary  war,  in  which  you  engaged  at  an  early  period 
of  life. 

We  cheerfully  unite  with  our  countrymen,  in  the 
expression  of  esteem  and  confidence,  to  which  your  il 
lustrious  character  and  station  entitle  you  ;  and  we 
rejoice,  that  whilst  your  administration  has  commenced 
under  such  auspicious  circumstances,  we  can  anticipate 
its  progress  with  public  approbation,  and  its  termina 
tion  with  renown  to  yourself,  and  prosperity  to  the  na 
tion. 

To  which  the  President  was  pleased  to  reply  : 

His  highly  gratifying  to  me  to  meet  the  Committee  of 
Charlestown,  upon  a  theatre  so  interesting  to  the  Uni 
ted  States. 

It  is  impossible  to  approach  Bunker  Hill,  where  the 
war  of  the  revolution  commenced,  with  so  much  honour 
to  the  nation,  without  being  deeply  affected.  The 
blood  spilt  here,  roused  the  whole  American  people, 
and  united  them  in  .1  common  cause,  in  defence  of  their 
rights  ;  that  union  will  never  be  broken. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  165' 

Be  pleased  to  accept  my  thanks,  for  your  kind  at 
tention,  on  this  interesting  occasion. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

"  He  then  passed  through  an  avenue,  composed  of 
the  citizens,  with  the  fathers  of  the  town,  and  the  Rev. 
Clergy  at  their  head,  and  made  more  interesting  by  a 
long  range- of  youths. 

He  then  proceeded  through  streets  decorated  with 
colours,  to  a  square  on  Breed's  Hill,  formed  by  twenty 
one  companies  of  General  Austin's  brigade,  having  for 
its  centre,  the  "  Monument  of  Warren."  The  troops, 
composed  of  Col.  Page's  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Col. 
Kendall's  of  Artillery,  Col.  TarbelPs  battalion  of  Light 
I nfantry,  and  Col.  Sweetser's  battalion  of  Cavalry  ;  the 
whole  under  Gen.  Austin.  After  reviewing  these 
troops,  who  made  a  good  appearance,  he  partook  of  a 
neat  collation,  on  the  Heights  of  Bunker,  prepared  in  a 
marquee,  pitched  for  the  occasion,  and  where  Capt. 
Wyman's  company  of  Light  infantry,  did  the  guard 
honours.  On  this  memorable  spot,  three  of  the  sur 
vivors  of  its  conflict,  (Thomas  Miller,  Timothy  Thomp 
son,  and  John  Kettell)  were  presented  to  him,  as  were 
also  the  Clergy  of  the  town." 

While  the  President  was  visiting  the  public  works 
in  this  vicinity,  as  a  statesman  and  soldier,  he  did  not 
forget  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  justly  celebrated  Uni 
versity  at  Cambridge,  as  a  scholar.  He  began  the  day 
upon  the  7th,  in  examining  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  pro 
bably  the  most  interesting  establishment  of  this  nature, 
for  the  sons  of  the  muses,  of  science,  and  of  literature, 
to  resort  to  in  the  union  ;  and  closed  it  by  enjoying 
the  scientific  and  literary  splendour  of  Harvard.  It 


166  MIESIDENT'S    TOUR. 


must  have  been  a  delightful  relief  for  the  President, 
from  the  intense  application  he  had  paid  for  a  number 
of  days  to  subjects  of  a  political,  naval,  and  military 
nature. 

To  the  politeness  and  urbanity  of  President  KIRK- 
LAND,  1  am  indebted  for  the  highly  finished  and  classi 
cal  Address  delivered  by  him,  on  behalf  of  the  Corpo 
ration  of  Harvard  University,  and  the  answer  of  the 
President,  to  the  same,  which  has  never  before  been 
published. 

HARVARD  UNIVERSITY,  Cambridge, 

27th  Dec.  1817. 

SIR  —  I  send  you  the  documents  requested.  The 
answer  was  received  the  10th  July,  written  after  the 
President  left  Boston,  at  Salem.  It  is,  perhaps,  proper 
to  publish  it  without  date. 

With  consideration, 
I  am,  Sir, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  T.  KIRKLAND. 
Mr.  S.  PUTNAM  WALDO, 

Hartford,  C. 

ADDRESS 

of  the  Corporation  of  the  University  in  Cambridge,  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States. 

SIR—  The  President  and  Fellows  of  Harvard  Col 
lege,  are  happy  in  an  opportunity  of  presenting  their 
respectful  salutations  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the 
nation.  It  is  peculiarly  grateful  to  us,  that  a  visit  to 
this  University,  has  not  been  found  inconsistent  with 
those  objects  of  public  concern,  which  engage  the  at 
tention  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  the 
course  of  his  itinerary  progress. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  167 

We  take  satisfaction  in  this  notice  of  our  seminary  as 
evincing  your  estimation  of  liberal  studies,  and  your  in 
terest  in  the  education  and  character  of  American  youth. 
Our  Academic  functions  cannot  fail  to  derive  dignity 
and  effect  from  the  countenance  of  the  civil  authori 
ties  ;  and  our  pupils  to  find  incitements  to  excellence, 
in  all  the  demonstrations  of  sympathy  in  their  pursuits 
and  destination,  given  by  those  who  fill  exalted  stations. 

We  bid  you  welcome,  sir,  to  an  establishment  coeval 
with  the  foundation  of  the  State,  and  the  object  of  pub 
lic  and  individual  favour  through  many  successive  gen 
erations.  While,  however,  its  connexion  with  the  his 
tory  of  past  times,  and  the  number  of  sons  which,  in  the 
lapse  of  nearly  two  centuries,  it  has  annually  dismissed 
from  its  care,  are  circumstances  which  naturally  excite 
a  degree  of  interest,  we  are  sensible,  that  antiquity 
alone,  tho'  venerable,  is  an  inadequate  basis  of  respect 
from  men  of  intelligence  and  reflection.  We  would 
hope,  that  this  cherished  seminary  has  other  and  stron 
ger  claims  to  complacent  regard  from  every  friend  to 
the  best  interests  of  man,  every  patron  of  intellectual 
and  moral  excellence. 

With  the  rudiments  of  good  literature,  and  the  ele 
ments  of  science,  it  has  been  the  constant  and  elevated 
aim  in  this  institution,  to  inspire  the  minds  of  youth 
with  those  principles  of  virtue  and  piety,  with  those 
manly  sentiments,  and  with  that  pure  love  of  truth  and 
duty,  which  are  the  most  valued  ingredients  of  charac 
ter,  and  which  are  best  calculated  to  form  the  man  and 
the  citizen. 

By  pursuing  such  a  course,  this  ancient  school  has 
sought  to  preserve,  in  close  alliance,  the  interests  of 
religion  and  learning,  of  faith  and  charity,  of  liberty 
and  order. 

Desiring  to  train  those  who  are  under  our  charge  for 
the  whole  public  and  for  mankind,  we  deem  it  an  es 
sential  part  of  our  office,  to  endeavour  to  temper  the 
prejudices  and  feelings  incident  to  particular  attach 
ments  and  geographical  divisions  ;  to  exhibit  the  evi 
dence  and  authority  of  our  common  faith  with  a  due 
moderation  in  respect  to  peculiarities  of  opinion  and 


168  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

mode  ;  and  to  encourage  free  inquiries  into  the  nature, 
the  value,  the  dangers,  and  the  preservatives  of  our 
republican  institutions,  with  a  just  reserve  upon  those 
controverted  questions  which  tend  to  inflame  the  spirit 
of  party. 

We  present  to  your  view,  Sir,  that  portion  of  the 
youth  of  our  country,  now  resident  within  these  walls  ; 
and  are  happy  to  bear  testimony  to  the  many  pledges 
they  give  of  their  regard  to  the  interesting  objects  of 
literary  pursuit,  and  to  those  attainments  on  which 
their  future  usefulness  must  depend. 

May  they  and  all  the  sons  of  this  University,  ever 
cherish  those  generous  affections,  and  aim  at  those  sol 
id  acquirements,  which  shall  bind  and  endear  them  to 
their  country,  and  render  them  approved  instruments 
in  advancing  the  interests  and  honour  of  our  nation,  and 
strengthening  and  protecting  its  precious  institutions. 

In  these  indications  of  the  purposes  of  public  edu 
cation,  we  are  persuaded,  sir,  that  we  refer  to  objects 
which  you  deem  worthy  of  high  regard. 

We  congratulate  you  on  the  auspicious  circumstan 
ces  which  attend  the  commencement  of  your  admin 
istration.  Accept  our  wishes  and  prayers  for  its  happy 
course  and  issue  ;  and  indulge  the  expression  of  our  de 
sire,  that  whilst  you,  by  the  favour  of  Heaven,  upon 
the  exercise  of  the  appropriate  duties  of  your  high  sta 
tion,  obtain  the  happiness  of  seeing  the  associated  com 
munities  over  which  you  preside,  safe  and  prosperous, 
it  may  be  our  privilege,  by  fidelity  and  zeal  in  our  allot 
ted  sphere,  under  the  single  of  the  same  good  Provi 
dence  to  co-operate  in  the  work  of  patriotism,  by  diffus 
ing  the  light  of  knowledge  and  the  saving  influence  of 
religion  and  morals. 

JOHN  T.  KIRKLAND. 
July  7,  1817. 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  ANSWER 

to  the  Address  from  the  Corporation  of  Harvard   Uni 
versity. 

SIR — I  am  deeply  impressed  with  the  distinguished 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR.  1& 

attention  with  which  the  President  and  Fellows  of  Har 
vard  University,  have  been  pleased  to  honour  me  on 
my  present  visit.  Nothing  is  more  interesting  to  my 
own  mind,  and  nothing  can  be  more  important  to  our 
common  country,  than  the  cultivation  of  science  and 
liberal  literature.  The  principal  support  of  a  free  gov 
ernment,  is  to  be  derived  from  the  sound  morals  and 
intelligence  of  the  people  ;  and  the  more  extensive  the 
means  of  education,  the  more  confidently  may  we  rely 
upon  the  preservation  of  our  public  liberties.  What 
ever  doubts  may  once  have  been  entertained  upon  the 
subject  of  the  stability  of  a  republican  government,  and 
of  its  capacity  to  promote  the  public  interest,  the  pro 
gress  of  our  own,  must  now  have  satisfied  the  most 
sceptical  mind,  and  awakened  the  strongest  conviction 
of  its  energy  and  excellence. 

The  venerable  University,  over  which  you  preside, 
has  long  been  a  great  ornament  of  our  country.  It 
seems  exceedingly  well  adapted,  in  its  organization, 
to  give  the  best  instruction.  It  has  matured  in  its  bo 
som  many  of  those,  who,  by  their  patriotism,  their  piety, 
and  their  learning,  have  conferred  lasting  benefits  on 
mankind.  Most  sincerely  do  I  wish  that  it  may  continue 
to  be  a  public  blessing  ;  and,  under  the  smiles  of  Prov 
idence,  increase  in  usefulness.  An  institution,  which 
endeavours  to  rear  American  youth  in  the  pure  love  of 
truth  and  duty  ;  and  while  it  enlightens  their  minds  by 
ingenuous  and  liberal  studies,  it  endeavours  to  awaken 
a  love  of  country,  to  soften  local  prejudices,  and  to  in 
culcate  Christian  faith  and  charity,  cannot  but  acquire, 
as  it  deserves,  the  confidence  of  the  wise  and  good. 
You  do  justice,  therefore,  to  my  feelings,  in  believing 
that  such  an  institution  must  possess  my  highest  regard, 
and  that  I  shall  always  take  a  lively  interest  in  its  pros 
perity. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

To  the  Rev.  President  KIRKLAND. 


I  must  be  permitted  to  express  my  unqualified  admi 
ration  of  this  Address  and  Answer.     The  elevated  rank 
P 


170  PRESIDENT'S  TOITK, 

sustained  by  the  President  of  Harvard  University,  in  the 
scientific  and  literary  world  ;  the  rank,  above  all  ranks, 
held  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  the  politi 
cal  world,  imparts  a  consequence  to  their  opinions, 
which  can  neither  be  increased  or  diminished  by  that 
of  a  private  individual.  But  when  the  President  of 
a  literary  institution,  instead  of  limiting  the  minds  of  his 
pupils  to  "particular  attachments  ;  geographical  divis 
ions,  and  peculiarities  of  opinion  ;  trains  those  under 
his  charge  for  the  whole  public,  and  for  mankind,"  no 
one  can  withhold  the  expression  of  his  high  respect, 
nor  help  declaring  his  approbation.  When  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  only  REPUBLIC  on  earth,  instead  of 
rejoicing  in  that  mental  degradation,  and  gross  igno 
rance,  which  is  the  foundation  of  despotic  power,  de 
clares,  "  The  more  extensive  the  means  of  education,  the 
more  confidently  may  we  rely  upon  the  preservation  of 
•ur  public  liberties  ;"  every  one  must  approve  of  the 
sentiment,  applaud  the  man,  and  delight  in  his  adminis 
tration. 

After  examining  all  the  different  departments  of  the 
sciences  in  this  important  institution,  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  received  from  the  President  of  Har 
vard  University,  the  Degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  the 
highest  honour  he  could  bestow. 

The  President,  in  his  exalted  station,  did  not  omit  to 
manifest  his  respect  for  one  of  his  predecessors — the 
venerable  JOHN  ADAMS.  He  visited  him  at  his  own 
mansion,  in  Quincey.  The  interview  must  have  been 
one  of  the  most  interesting  that  can  be  imagined.  It 
must  have  been  pursued  with  "  thoughts  that  breathe, 
<?.nd  word*  that  burn."  This  venerable  patriot,  with 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  171 

locks  bleached  with  eighty-five  years,  must  have  pour 
ed  out  a  soul,  swelling  with  gratitude  to  the  KING  OF 
KINGS  and  LORD  OF  LORDS,  that  he  had  sustained  THE 
REPUBLIC  from  infancy  to  manhood  ;  and  that  he  had 
preserved  one  of  its  ardent  defenders,  to  preside  over 
its  destiny.  The  President,  in  this  hoary  headed  states 
man,  recognized  one  of  the  earliest  advocates  of  Ameri 
can  Freedom,  and  must  have  thanked  his  God,  that  in 
retirement,  he  was  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  those  bles 
sings,  which  he,  so  largely,  contributed  to  acquire  for 
his  countrymen. 

The  President  has  the  happiness  to  reflect,  that  he 
has  enjoyed  the  intimacy,  and  secured  the  confidence 
off/7/  his  illustrious  predecessors  ;  a  felicity  which  few, 
if  any  of  his  successors,  can  hope  to  enjoy.  WASH 
INGTON  has  departed  ;  and  the  path  he  made  from  tem 
poral  to  immortal  glory,  must,  ere  long,  be  traversed 
by  ADAMS,  JEFFERSON,  and  MADISON. 

The  contracted  limits  of  this  work  has  inhibited  the 
writer  and  compiler  of  it  from  giving  such  historical 
accounts  and  geographical  descriptions  of  the  impor 
tant  places,  through  which  the  President  passed,  as 
would  have  been  gratifying  to  his  own  feelings,  and 
perhaps  not  altogether  destitute  of  amusement  and  in 
formation  to  his  readers.  The  same  restraint  prevents 
him  from  expatiating,  to  any  extent,  upon  Boston  and 
its  environs. 

Boston  has  been  settled  by  Europeans  nearly  two 
centuries.  It  is  situated  upon  a  peninsula,  united  to 
the  main  land  upon  the  south,  by  a  narrow  neck  of  land 
extending  to  Roxbury.  It  has  an  inner  and  an  outward 
bay,  spreading  before  it  to  the  east,  making  a  harbour, 


172  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

somewhat  difficult  of  entrance,  and  safe  when  entered. 
In  approaching  it  by  land  and  by  sea,  it  is  presented  to 
the  view  of  the  traveller,  and  the  navigator,  in  the  most 
flattering  colours.  The  whole  peninsula,  excepting  a 
capacious  common,  which  the  wise  policy  of  the  place 
has  always  preserved  for  a  beautiful  promenade,  and 
for  the  benefit  of  a  free  circulation  of  air,  is  covered 
with  buildings.  The  adjoining  country  is  literally 
ehecquered  with  beautiful  and  flourishing  villages. — 
Upon  entering  the  town,  the  beholder  is  convinced 
there  was  no  illusion  in  the  distant  view.  Although 
irregularly  built,  its  irregularity  is  more  charming  than 
the  dull  uniformity  of  the  "  cities  of  the  plain"  In  its 
principal  streets,  there  is  a  succession  of  extensive 
warehouses,  and  elegant  residences.  In  its  lanes  and 
alleys,  which  might,  by  a  stranger,  be  supposed  to  con 
tain  the  sons  of  sorrow  and  indigence  ;  there  is  every 
appearance  of  active  industry  and  comfortable  subsist 
ence.  The  public  buildings  discover  the  wealth  and 
taste  of  the  citizens.  The  new  state  house,  and  the 
new  court  house,  are  considered  as  models  of  elegant 
architecture.  Twenty-three  houses  of  public  worship 
show  that  the  present  inhabitants  are  not  forgetful  of  the 
God  of  their  forefathers.  Although,  by  the  surround 
ing  ocean,  this  peninsula  is  almost  cut  off  from  natural 
communication  with  the  adjacent  country,  a  number  of 
elegant  bridges  furnish  an  artificial  passage  to  every 
part  of  it. 

The  events  that  have  taken  place  here,  it  will 
be  the  pride  and  the  pleasure  of  the  historian  to  re 
cord.  The  Tourist  is  precluded  from  it  by  his  li 
mits.  It  can  only  here  be  iaid,  that  Boston  was  settled 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUR. 


173 


by  independent  Christians,  determined  that  no  dictates, 
but  those  of  divine  revelation,  should  control  them  in 
the  worship  of  the  Deity.  It  was  settled  hy  freemen, 
who  were  resolved  to  resist  the  unauthorised  exertion 
of  the  power  of  an  earthly  potentate.  The  revolution 
here  commenced,  and  it  was  consummated  upon  the 
principles  here  advanced.  The  first  blood  shed  in 
this  contest,  was  spilled  in  its  neighbourhood,*  and  in 
its  neighbourhood!  the  first  important  battle  was  fought. 
It  was  upon  Bunker's  incrimsoned  mount  where  a  WAR 
REN  fell — 

"  There  stood  stern  PUTNAM,  seam'd  with  many  a  scar, 
"  The  vet'ran  honours  of  an  earlier  war."| 
and  here  he  saved  the  remnant  of  an  army  that  had 
slain  more  than  its  whole  number. 

Having,  in  the  first  edition  of  this  work,  attempted  to 
blend  with  the  account  of  the  interesting  Tour  of  the 
President,  brief  historical  notices  of  the  most  important 
events  which  had  taken  place  in  the  principal  places 
through  which  he  passed,  I  could  not  omit  to  mention 
"  The  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.'''  In  mentioning  that  e- 
vent,  the  "  BELOVED  WARREN,"  and  the  "  VETERAN 
PUTNAM,"  could  not  be  forgotten. 

The  edition  had  hardly  issued  from  the  press,  when 
Gen.  Henry  Dearborn,  published  "  An  Account  of  the 
Battle  of  Bunker  Hill"  calculated  to  throw  a  shade 
over  the  exalted  fame  of  WARREN,  and  to  tarnish,  for- 
ever,  the  hard-earned  laurels  of  ?UT\AM.  His  "  ac 
count"  produced  a  sensation  through  t?ie  whole  Repub 
lic.  The  surviving  heroes  of  that  sanguinary  contest, 

*  Battle  of  Lexington,     t  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
J  Barlow's  Columbiad,  and  Trumbull's  Painting* 

P  2 


174  PRESIDENT'S    TOUR. 

whose  hearts  had  almost  ceased  to  beat  from  the  weight 
of  years,  were  roused  into  indignation  at  the  sacrile 
gious  attack  upon  "  their  General,"  the  Gazettes  of  the 
whole  Republic  teemed  with  depositions,  repelling  the 
attack  upon  the  memory  of  ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 

A  digested  account  of  that  battle  has  recently  been 
published  by  an  accomplished  scholar,  Col.  SAMUEL 
SWETT,  of  Boston,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred.*  I 
hope  to  be  pardoned  for  incorporating  into  this  work  the 
following  letters,  which  were  published  in  the  Gazettes 
of  the  day. 

LETTER  I. 

To  Gen.  Henry  Dearborn. 

Hartford,  May  1,  1818. 

SIR — My  attention  has  recently  been  directed  to  a 
publication  in  the  Port  Folio,  entitled,  "  An  account  of 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill."  Not  having  been  born  until 
after  the  first  war  for  Independence,  I  of  course  know 
nothing  of  that  unparalleled  contest,  excepting  from 
reading  the  histories  we  have  of  it,  and  hearing  the  sur 
viving  veterans  relate  the  tales  of  it.  It  is  a  subject  of 
all  others,  most  interesting  to  me.  My  ancestors  were 
among  the  first  to  "  breast  the  shock  ;"  and  those  of  them 
who  did  not  fall  upon  the  field  of  battle,  were  the  last 
who  left  it. 

My  venerated  grandfather,  Major  General  ISRAEL 
PUTNAM,  was  among  the  first  who  flew  to  arms  after  the 
blood  of  A,nericans  stained  the  fields  of  Lexington.  He 
had  fought  the  French  and  the  Savages  in  the  French 
war.  He  had  gone  through  scenes  of  sufferings,  and 
hosts  of  dangers,  which  are  probably  without  parallel 

*  Vide  Humphrey's  Life  of  Putnam,  with  Swell's  Appendix. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  175 

iu  the  history  of  our  country.  In  that  war,  sir,  he  be 
came  a  terror  both  to  a  civilized  and  to  a  barbarous  foe, 
and  an  object  of  admiration  to  his  countrymen,  and  with 
the  British  government. 

When  that  sanguinary  power  commenced  the 
dreadful  trade  of  war  upon  their  own  subjects  in  Amer 
ica,  it  endeavoured  with  unceasing  assiduity,  to  detach 
him  from  the  cause  of  the  country,  and  to  lead  the  Brit 
ish  forces  against  his  countrymen.  Yes,  sir,  the  first 
honours  of  the  British  government  were  within  his 
reach  ;  and  had  he  been  base  enough  to  have  desert 
ed  the  standard  of  his  country,  he  might  have  been 
"  stuck  o'er  with  titles  and  hung  round  with  strings  ;" 
and  the  stars  and  "  orders"  of  nobility  might  have  dec 
orated  his  body.  But  he  became  a  champion  in  the 
cause  of  liberty  ;  and  without  any  respite  from  the  toils 
and  privations  of  the  camp,  remained  in  the  field  until, 
by  a  paralytic  shock,  one  half  of  his  body  was  rendered 
as  lifeless  as  the  whole  of  it  has  been  for  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century. 

I  hope  I  shall  escape  the' imputation  of  vanity,  when 
I  say  it  was  the  delight  of  my  infant  years  to  hear  this 
hoary  headed  patriot  detail  to  his  listening  descendants^ 
the  perils,  the  pains,  and  the  tortures  he  had  endured  ; 
and,  with  the  crutch  that  supported  the  living  part  of 
his  system,  to  trace  in  the  sand  the  plan  of  the  battles 
in  which  he  had  fought. 

His  aid,  Gen.  HUMPHBEY,  became  his  biographer  ; 
and  he,  with  his  own  hand,  presented  me  with  the  de 
tail  of  his  life. — It  was  the  first  of  my  reading.  I  be 
came  familiar  with  the  life  of  ISRAEL  PUTNAM,  and  felt 
an  infant  glow  of  pride  that  he  was  the  compatriot  and 


176  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

favourite  of  WASHINGTON.  Humphrey  has  followed 
Putnam  into  eternity,  and  the  hand  of  death  has  depriv 
ed  them  both  of  defending  that  hard  earned  fame  which 
was  never  assailed  or  doubted,  until  the  phlegmatic 
cruelty  of  Henry  Dearborn  commenced  the  attack. 

I  claim  for  my  grandfather  no  advantage  from  the 
common  sentiment,  that  we  should  tread  lightly  upon 
the  ashes  of  the  dead.  No,  sir,  when  the  tomb  receiv 
ed  his  body,  it  did  not  close  upon  a  single  stain  that  had 
tarnished  his  escutcheon.  To  use  the  language  of  his 
eulogist,  pronounced  after  the  solemn  peal  of  cannon, 
and  the  lamentations  of  an  assembled  multitude  over  his 
tomb — "  He  pitied  littleness — loved  goodness — admired 
greatness,  and  aspired  to  its  glorious  summit."  His  fame 
was  the  dearest  legacy  he  left  to  his  descendants  ;  and 
if  one  of  them,  however  remote,  will  suffer  it  to  be  as- 
Bailed  with  impunity,  by  any  living  man,  he  is  guilty  of 
petit  treason. 

As  to  your  description  of  the  '  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,' 
its  accuracy  cannot  be  judged  of  by  me.  I  glory  in  the 
fame  that  any  man,  in  any  rank  acquired  in  the  revolu 
tionary  struggle,  and  most  sincerely  hope,  that  from 
time  to  time  our  countrymen  will  acquire  additional 
knowledge  of  that  great  contest.  But,  sir,  could  you 
not  detail  your  conduct  and  that  of  Col.  Prescott,  with 
out  assailing  the  reputation  of  Gen.  WARD  and  Gen. 
PUTNAM  ? 

You  speak  of  the  "  universal  popularity  of  Gen.  PUT 
NAM,"  and  add  *«  no  one  can  at  this  time  offer  any  satisfac 
tory  reasons  "why  he  was  held  in  such  high  estimation." 
*'  Universal  popularity"  in  the  American  Republic,  sir, 
cannot  be  acquired  by  any  man,  without  a  long  course 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  177 

of  meritorious  service.  It  was  for  this  reason  that  Gen. 
PUTNAM  wfts  "  held  in  such  high  estimation."  He  had 
that  "  popularity  that  followed  him  ;  not  that  which  he 
run  after."  The  American  people  have  awarded  to 
him  the  meed  of  praise — they  have  enrolled  his  name 
with  the  bright  constellation  of  American  worthies — 
and  you  may  as  well  change  the  course  of  the  streams 
he  encountered,  and  shake  the  foundation  of  the  moun 
tains  he  defended,  as  to  rob  him  of  his  fame.  But  the 
impossibility  of  doing  this,  is  no  excuse  for  the  futile 
attempt. 

Has  it  come  to  this,  sir,  that  the  glory  of  a  WASHING 
TON  and  a  PUTNAM  is  to  be  tarnished  by  a  Duane  and  a 
Dearborn  ?  "  O  /  shame,  where  is  thy  blush."  You  say 
that  at  the  table  "  of  his  Excellency  James  Bowdoin" 
it  was  declared  after  the  war,  that  Gen.  PUTNAM  "  ought 
to  have  been  shot."  My  blood  congeals  as  I  write — this 
declaration  tortures  my  bosom  more  than  could  cold 
iron  or  molten  lead.  Israel  Putnam,  sir,  suffered  more 
from  savage  and  Christian  foes  than  a  hundred  deaths 
could  inflict,  in  the  cause  of  a  country  he  loved  better 
than  himself;  and  after  resting  in  his  cemetery  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  his  memory  is  assailed  by  one  who 
wishes  to  build  his  fame  upon  his  ruins. 

General  Dearborn,  the  history  of  the  second  war  for 
American  Independence  is  yet  to  be  written.  The  part 
you  took  in  it  will  be  detailed.  If  the  impartial  histori 
an  shall  place  you  in  the  temple  of  fame,  and  you  should 
be  called  to  the  congregation  of  the  dead,  imagine  to 
yourself  now  what  would  be  the  feelings  of  your  grand 
children  when  your  reputation  should  be  assailed  as 
you  have  assailed  that  of  ISRAEL  PUTNAM.  Excuse  me 


178  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

for  this  trouble,  and  from  pursuing,  at  this  time,  a  sub 
ject  which  harrows  my  feelings  into  agony. 

S.  PUTNAM  WALDO. 

LETTER  II. 


Old  man,  I  tell  thee 


"  The  sheeted  bones  of  this  dead  hero 

"  Do  rattle  in  their  cerements,  at  the  charge 

"  Thy  desperate  pen  hath  made." 

Hartford,  Conn.  July  25th,  1818. 

SIR — You  may  deem  it  presumptuous  in  me  to  ad 
dress  a  late  Major-General  in  the  army  of  the  American 
Republic.  Should  this  be  your  impression,  I  can  find 
an  example  of  temerity  for  my  own  justification  in  the 
recent  presumption  of  General  Dearborn.  To  assail 
the  £». T»e  of  ISRAEL  PUTNAM,  at  this  period  of  the  world, 
furnishes  an  example  of  rashness,  bordering  upon  des 
peration. 

When  the  editor  of  the  Port  Folio  requested  you  to 
furnish  for  his  journal,  "  An  account  of  the  Rattle  of 
Bunker  Fill"  he  unquestionably  supposed  he  should 
have  derived  it  from  a  correct  source.  He  published 
the  ace  .n lit  to  the  world  ;  and  the  journals  of  the  day 
are  crowding  their  columns  with  the  inflated,  decep 
tive,  and  false  detail.  Inflated — because  you  make 
yourself  the  principal  figure  in  your  o^vn  punting; — 
deceptive — because,  where  it  is  not  absolutely  false,  it 
is  calculated  to  mislead  the  inquirer  ;— -false — because 
it  contradicts  the  acknowledged  authenticity  of  history, 
and  is  opposed  to  the  unimpeachable  testimony  of  th< 
surviving  veterans  of  that  sanguinary  conflict. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  179 

In  that  battle,  Sir,  you  commanded  a  company:  for 
although  a  falsehood  in  one  part  of  a  statement  justifies 
a  doubt  to  the  whole,  1  will  be  generous  enough  to  ad 
mit  the  truth  of  this,  your  assertion.  Have  you  not  seen 
enough  of  military  life,  and  read  enough  of  military  his 
tory,  to  know  that  a  mere  subaltern  is  wholly  incom 
petent  to  give  an  account  of  a  great  battle  in  which  he 
fought  ?  He  may  relate  the  desperate  deeds  which  he 
or  his  serjeant  actually  performed  ;  but  he  knows  little 
of  the  "  whole  ground  ;"  and  you  must  have  been 
guilty  of  gross  neglect  of  duty  in  this  battle,  as  well  ae 
of  gross  falsehood  in  detailing  it.  How  came  Capt. 
Dearborn  to  be  everywhere,  and  see  every  body,  stand 
ing,  falling,  dying,  or  dead,  during  this  battle  ?  You 
might  have  seen  the  beloved  and  sainted  WARREN  in  the 
arms  of  death  ;  and  you  might  now,  were  you  dastardly 
enough  to  add  to  the  infamous  aspersions  against  his 
companion  in  arms,  ISRAEL  PUTNAM,  Declare  that  he 
died  by  his  unmilitary  rashness,  or,  in  a  fit  of  despera 
tion,  slew  himself ! 

During  the  life  of  General  Putnam,  slander,  with 
her  thousand  venomous  tongues,  never  discharged  the 
poison  of  one  of  them  at  his  character  ;  and  can  his  pos 
terity  endure  to  see  his  tomb  invaded  by  a  sacrilegious 
slanderer  ?  If  there  be  any  sentiment  common  to  every 
human  heart,  it  is  that  of  indignation  against  the  assail 
ant  of  our  ancestors.  If  this  sentiment  finds  not  a 
place  in  your  bosom,  it  is  even  more  callous  to  human 
ity  than  I  now  think  it  to  be.  In  the  wide  range  of  hu 
man  observation,  it  is  difficult  to  find  a  being  amongst 
the  most  depraved  of  the  vile,  who  will  acknowledge 
himself  destitute  of  it.  Paricides,  to  be  sure,  have 


180  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

been  produced  ;  and  wretches  have  been  known  to  slan 
der  their  parents  ;  but  even  they  would  suffer  no  other 
to  slay  their  fathers,  or  traduce  their  memories.  This 
indignation  is  increased,  as  the  character  slandered  is 
more  pure  : — excuse  then  the  warmth  I  feel  at  your 
slander  of  ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 

At  the  time  I  addressed  a  brief  letter  to  you,  in  May 
last,  I  had  seen  no  defence  of  my  venerated  grandfa 
ther's  memory  from  your  barbarous  attack  ;  but  I  de 
rived  real  consolation  from  the  reflection,  that  it  need 
ed  none.  Soon  after,  however,  I  was  gratified  at  see 
ing  the  most  respectable  Gazettes,  conducted  by  gentle 
men  of  different  political  parties,  repelling,  in  the 
most  elegant  and  energetic  manner,  your  base  and  foul 
slander.  I  knew  that  Gen.  Putnam  had  a  surviving 
son — himself  a  patriotic  young  officer  in  the  army  o 
the  revolution — aid  to  his  father — and  distinguished  by 
WASHINGTON  as  an  accomplished  officer — Col.  DANIEL 
PUTNAM.  To  him  I  knew  belonged  the  duty  of  defend 
ing  the  memory  of  his  father  after  death,  as  he  had 
guarded  his  body  when  in  life.  I  knew  him  the  fittest 
of  all  persons  living  to  do  it ;  and  1  feel  a  proud  satis 
faction  in  knowing,  that,  when  necessary,  he  can  wield 
the  pen  of  a  scholar,  as  well  as  the  sword  of  a  gentle 
man.  A  pamphlet,  containing  your  attack,  and  his  de 
fence,  has  lately  been  sent  me. 

Nothing  but  your  outrage  against  the  common  princi 
ples  of  humanity — nothing  but  your  presumptuous  vio 
lation  of  the  sanctuary  of  a  sleeping  hero,  could  have 
called  him  from  the  delightful  retirement  in  which  he 
lives,  or  have  induced  him  to  offer  himself  to  the  public. 
The  mandate  of  nature,  and  the  law  of  Sinai,  pledged 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  181 

him  to  the  sacred  duty,  and  the  sacred  pledge  he  has 
redeemed.  Take  this  brief  and  lucid  detail  into  your 
closet — examine  it  with  care.  'Tis  not  like  the  hand 
writing  upon  the  wall,  unintelligible  ;  but,  like  that,  it 
must  shake  your  frame,  and  disturb  your  soul.  The 
majestic  spirit  of  WASHINGTON  would  there  upbraid  you 
for  profaning  the  tomb  of  his  earliest  friend  and  first 
officer,  in  the  war  of  the  revolution.  Read  the  evi 
dence  of  his  strong,  of  his  lasting  attachment  to  ISRAEL 
PUTNAM,  and  blush  at  your  own  injustice.  Examine 
the  clear  and  conclusive  testimony  of  an  unspotted 
patriot  of  the  revolution,  whose  blood  flowed  upon  Bun 
ker  Hill,  but  who  yet  survives  to  defend  the  memory 
of  his  commander.  More  than  three  score  and  ten 
years  have  rolled  t>ver  the  head  of  Col.  THOMAS  GROS- 
VENOR,  of  Pomfret  ;  but  additional  years  can  never  ren 
der  his  heart  unmoved  at  the  slander  of  Putnam,  nor 
prevent  his  tongue  from  telling  the  truth.  He  entered 
the  army  your  inferior  in  rank,  and  left  it  your  su 
perior  in  every  quality  which  constitutes  the  offi 
cer,  the  man,  and  the  patriot.  Turn  then  to  the  evi 
dence  of  the  American  Raphael,  Col.  JOHN  TRUMBULL, 
and  sink  into  that  shade  in  which  his  unrivalled  pencil 
has  placed  you>  when  delineating  and  painting  this  bat 
tle.  A  PUTNAM  is  seen — a  GROSVENOR  is  seen — a 
SMALL  is  seen  ;  but  a  Dearborn — "  is  not." 

If,  after  reading  this  explicit  testimony,  which  com 
pletely  destroys  your  "  account,"  you  had,  as  in  duty 
bound,  retracted  your  declarations  in  regard  to  Gen. 
Putnam,  the  world  would  have  been  disposed  to  extend 
its  charity  to  you.  But  your  groundless  and  refuted 
statement,  you  attempt  to  support  by  vague  and  unde- 

Q 


182  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

fined  evidence.  No  doubt  you  can  obtain  the  affidavits 
of  fifteen-sixteenths  of  the  people  of  Sttffolk,  Middle 
sex,  and  Essex  counties,  who  will  say  they  did  not  see 
General  Putnam,  on  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  upon 
Bunker  Hill ;  and  could  not,  from  personal  knowledge, 
contradict  your  account.  What  kind  of  evidence  call 
you  this,  and  before  what  forum  would  you  adduce  it  ? 
Let  me  tell  you,  Sir,  the  Grand  Inquest  of  the  Ameri 
can  people,  before  whom  you  have  put  yourself  upon 
trial,  will  weigh  this  evidence,  and  will  decide,  that  the 
testimony  of  an  hundred  thousand  men,  however  res 
pectable,  who  did  not  see  Gen.  Putnam  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  cannot  contradict  your  account,  will 
be  like  the  light  fhist  of  the  balance  against  the  une 
quivocal  evidence  of  a  few  heroes,  .who  declare  that 
they  did  see  him  there,  in  the  ardent  discharge  of  his 
duty,  and  that  your  account  cannot  be  true. 

After  all,  General,  the  descendants  of  ISRAEL  PUT 
NAM  are  indebted  to  you.  You  have  rendered  the  cha 
racter  of  that  hero  more  conspicuous  and  more  endear 
ed  to  Americans,  by  attempting  to  ruin  it.*  In  the  ordi 
nary  course  of  nature,  you  must  shortly  follow  Putnam 
to  the  tomb  ;  and  should  your  memory  be  assailed  as 
you  have  assailed  that  of  my  grandfather,  may  a  gene 
rous  public  allow,  and  an  indignant  posterity  defend, 
the  reputation  you  deserve,  and — no  more. 

S.  PUTNAM  WALDO. 

It  was  upon  Bunker  Hill  -vhere  the  imperious  power 
of  Britain  was  first  taught  to  respect  American  courage. 
The  commercial  consequence  ofBoston  is  too  well  known 

*  Toast  syiv.-n  in  Baltimore,  July   5th,    1319. '  The  memory  of  Gen. 

Putnam — The  I'atriot  and  Soldier — the    lustre  of  his  fame  is    not  diminished, 
but  rendered  more  resplendent,  by  the  calumny  of  his  contemporary.' 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  183 

to  require  description.  The  President  was  familiar  with 
all  these  important  facts  when  he  entered  it,  and  the  mi 
nute  attention  he  bestowed  upon  every  subject  connect 
ed  with  the  interest  of  the  place,  shewed  the  importance 
he  attached  to  it  in  his  own  estimation.  Its  population, 
in  1810,  was  nearly  34,000. 

"  The  President,  with  his  suite,  left  Boston  upon  the 
8th  for  Marblehead  and  Salem,  escorted  by  the  Boston 
Light  dragoons.  At  the  boundary  of  the  counties,  he  was 
received  by  the  Hon.  Sheriff  Bartlett,  of  Essex,  Major 
General  Hovey,  Brigadier  General  Appleton,  &c.  and 
the  escort  was  continued  by  the  battalion  of  Cavalry, 
consisting  of  the  Washington  and  Essex  Hussars,  under 
Major  Peabody,  which  had  gone  from  Salem  for  that 
purpose. 

At  Lynn,  the  President  was  met  by  a  Committee  of 
that  town,  and  under  a  salute  from  Capt.  Batchelder's 
Artillery,  conducted  to  the  Hotel,  where  many  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  previously  assembled,  were  presented 
to  him.  As  he  left  the  Hotel  a  very  large  number  of 
the  inhabitants,  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  ages,  drew  up 
in  two  lines  on  the  Common,  forming  a  lane  extend 
ing  from  the  Hotel  to  the  Meeting-House,  through 
which,  with  his  Excellency,  Governour  Brooks,  and 
their  respective  suites,  preceded  by  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  he  passed  delighted  on  foot,  and  then 
ascended  his  carriage,  and  continued  his  journey. 

At  Marblehead,  he  was  received  with  great  respect 
by  the  Fathers  of  the  Town,  and  Committee  of  Ar 
rangements,  under  escort  of  Capt.  Story's  Light  Infan 
try,  and  amidst  the  sound  of  bells  and  cannon,  and  the 


184  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

acclamations  of  the  citizens.  Here  he  spent  several 
hours,  receiving  congratulations,  viewing  the  town  and 
harbour,  visiting  and  inspecting  Fort  Sewall,  and  its 
garrison,  reviewing  Major  Reed's  battalion  of  Artillery, 
fcc.  &c. 

A  little  after  3  o'clock,  a  salute  from  Col.  Russell's 
regiment  of  Artillery,  stationed  in  South  Salem,  and  the 
ringing  of  the  bells,  announced  that  the  President  had 
reached  the  bounds  of  Salem,  where  he  was  met  by  the 
Selectmen,  Committee,  and  Marshals,  and  welcomed 
by  Col.  Mansfield,  Chairman  of  the  Selectmen,  in  the 
following  terms  : 

»We  are  highly  gratified,  sir,  that  we  have  once 
more  an  opportunity  to  present  our  respects  to  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation  ;  and  we,  the  Selectmen, 
sir,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants,  sincerely  welcome  you 
to  the  ancient  town  of  Salem. 

After  which,  he  quitted  his  carriage,  and  proceeded 
with  the  cavalcade  on  horseback.  He  was  soon  in  the 
centre  of  the  town.  The  descent  from  the  high  ground 
to  south  bridge,  exhibited  the  cavalcade,  which  had 
increased  at  every  step,  to  fine  advantage.  An  arch, 
thrown  over  the  bridge,  was  handsomely  dressed  with 
flags  ;  passing  tinder  this,  the  President  entered  into 
the  midst  of  multitudes  of  citizen  thronging  the  streets, 
while  every  window  was  sparkling  with  female  beauty  ; 
and  turning  the  angle,  into  Essex-street,  the  gratulating 
shouts  of  thousands  rent  the  air.  Having  passed  into 
Court-street,  through  Marlborough,  Federal,  and  Bos 
ton  streets,  to  the  head  of  Essex-street,  the  cavalcade 
halted.  Here  the  President  dismounted,  and  joined 
on  foot  the  procession  of  the  inhabitants  there  formed. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  185 

agreeable  to  the  judicious  arrangements  of  the  Commil- 
tee.  An  elegant  battalion,  composed  of  three  Compa 
nies  of  Light  Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
White  of  the  Cadets,  conducted  this  procession,  under 
a  salute  from  the  Artillerj^,  to  the  President's  lodgings, 
at  the  Essex  Coffee-House.  Near  the  President's  per 
son,  in  the  procession,  were  many  of  our  most  distin 
guished  naval  and  military  commanders.  In  the  pas 
sage  through  Essex-street,  the  hopes  of  parents,  and  of 
society,  were  presented  to  the  President,  in  the  as 
semblage  of  about  a  thousand  children,  regularly  ar 
ranged  on  each  side,  under  their  several  school-mas 
ters,  and  forming  an  extensive  avenue  for  the  proces 
sion  to  pass  through.  When  the  head  of  the  escort 
reached  the  Coffee-House',  they  opened,  and  the  Pres 
ident  was  conducted  in  by  the  Committee,  where 
he  met  with  many  distinguished  characters,  among 
whom  it  was  a  high  gratification  to  behold  his  Excel 
lency  the  Governour,  who  (with  his  aids,  and  in  full 
uniform)  had  arrived  some  hours  before,  with  the  Hon. 
Timothy  Pickering,  of  the  supreme  Executive  Council, 
&c.  &c.  Here,  in  front  of  the  house,  and  amidst  the 
assembled  citizens,  an  address  was  delivered  by  the 
Hon.  Mr,  Pickman,  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  ancl 
an  extemporaneous  answer  returned  by  the  President. 
Some  time  after,  the  President,  accompanied  by  his 
Excellency,  and  many  other  public  characters,  was  es 
corted  to  the  Town-Hall,  where  a  number  of  our  most 
respectable  citizens  were  personally  introduced  to  him. 
From  the  Hall  he  proceeded  in  a  carriage  with  the 
Oovernour,  to  Washington-square,  where  he  reviewed 


itfci  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the'line  of  troops,  composed  of  the  squadron  of  Caval 
ry,  the  regiment  of  Artillery,  the  regiment  of  Infantry, 
and  the  Independent  Cadets,  (the  whole  under  the  or 
ders  of  Col.  Russell,  of  the  Artillery)  and  then  alighted 
at  a  marquee,  where  he  received  the  marching  salute. 
This  military  display  was  most  beautiful  ;  and  it  is  un 
derstood  the  President  was  pleased  to  express  his  sense 
of  the  nne  appearance,  and  correct  performances  of 
the  troops  in  high  terms  of  approbation.  After  the  re 
view,  the  President  (who  entered  and  quitted  the 
Square  under  a  peal  of  artillery)  was  escorted  by  the 
cavalry  to  his  lodgings,  where  he  sat  down  to  dinner 
with  a  large  number  of  guests  whom  he  had  invited  to 
his  tuble,  and  among  whom  were  his  Excellency  Gov. 
Brooks,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Hon.  Mr.  Pickering, 
Judge  Story,  many  naval  and  military  officers  of  the 
United  States  ;  Gen.  Hovey  and  other  militia  officers, 
the  venerable  Dr.  Holyoke,  Reverend  Clergy,  Com 
mittee  of  Arrangements,  Marshals  of  the  day,  &c.  In 
the  evening,  the  President  and  the  Governour,  with 
their  suites,  visited  the  Town  Hall,  which  was  crowded 
with  a  brilliant  assemblage  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  and 
where  a  free  and  polite  intercourse  took  place  between 
these  distinguished  visitors  and  the  company  assembled. 
An  excellent  band  of  music  enlivened  the  brilliant 
scene.  At  an  early  hour  the  President,  with  the  Gov 
ernour,  retired,  having  been  greeted  at  every  turn, 
through  the  day,  with  all  the  marks  expressive  of  res 
pect  for  the  first  Magistrate  of  the  nation. 

Wednesday  morning  the  President,  with  his  suite, 
pursuant  to  the  purposes  of  his  Tour,  visited  Fort 
Pickering  on  Winter  Island,  the  East  India  Museum-, 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  187 

the  Salem  Atheneum,  the  new  work  house,  and  whate 
ver  other  objects  of  a  public  nature,  and  worthy  his  re 
gard  the  town  offers.  In  the  afternoon  dined  with  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  in  company  with  the  Select 
men,  Committee  of  Arrangements,  and  many  other 
gentlemen  of  distinction. 

The  To.wn  Hall  (a  long  room  over  the  Market)  was 
first  made  use  of  to  pay  the  honours  of  the  town  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States.  It  is  not  in  my  pow 
er  to  describe  the  handsome  style  in  which  it  was 
fitted  up  :  it  excited  the  admiration  of  the  President, 
and  drew  from  him  a  compliment  to  the  ladies,  whose 
taste  and  skill  spread  over  it  such  a  neat  and  graceful 
dress  of  ornament,  in  festoons  of  oak,  connected  with 
bands  of  gold,  and  disposed  in  the  most  elegant  and 
appropriate  manner.  At  the  north  end  of  the  hall  was 
the  seat  of  the  President,  (a  chair  from  Mount  Vernon, 
with  the  name  of  WASHINGTON  inscribed  upon  it)  upon 
an  elevation  of  about  four  feet  above  the  floor,  ascend 
ed  by  a  flight  of  stairs,  being  a  circular  projection  in 
front  of  a  colonade,  over  which  was  an  arch  supported 
by  pillars,  and  surmounted  with  the  arms  of  the  Unit 
ed  States.  Around  the  room  were  portraits  of  emi 
nent  worthies  of  old  and  present  times,  and  represen 
tations  of  various  scenes  in  which  the  glory  of  the  na 
tion  is  involved.  When  lighted  in  the  evening  by  a 
thousand  lamps,  and  glittering  with  female  beauty >  it 
displayed  an  enchanting  scene." 

The  town  of  Salem  is  the  second  in  size,  and  proba 
bly  in  commercial  consequence,  in  New  England.  It 
is  situated  upon  a  peninsula  formed  by  two  inlets  from 


188  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the  sea.  Whenever  the  name  of  this  town  is  mention 
ed,  the  melancholy  delusion  of  a  most  gloomy  supersti 
tion,  which  occasioned  the  persecution  of  an  unoffend 
ing  race  of  Christians,  is  always  remembered.  But  the 
conscientious  scruples  which  misled  its  ancient  inhab 
itants  to  punish  Quakers,  has  preserved  their  descend 
ants  from  adopting  those  undefined  principles,  which, 
under  the  specious  pretext  of  liberality,  will  tolerate 
every  wild  and  disjointed  system  of  theology,  which 
men  adopt  from  the  dim  light  of  nature,  unaided  by  the 
light  of  revelation.  The  citizens  of  this  place  have, 
for  many  years,  carried  on  the  India  trade  to  a  very 
great  extent,  and  have  taken  the  lead  in  the  Fisheries, 
upon  the  banks  of  Newfoundland.  They  have  also 
been  considerably  engaged  in  the  whale  fishery  ;  and 
from  these  employments,  the  town  of  Salem  has  been 
one  of  the  most  fruitful  nurseries  of  accomplished  and 
adventurous  seamen  in  New  England.  "  Cleopatra's 
Barge"  was  built  in  this  place.  Her  recent  voyage  in 
the  Atlantic  and  Mediterranean,  excited  more  admira 
tion  than  all  the  navies  and  merchantmen  that  swim 
upon  their  surfaces.  She  was  like  a  flaming  comet  upon 
the  face  of  the  skies,  robbing  the  regular  planets  of  the 
admiration  usually  bestowed  upon  them.  Salem  was 
settled  as  early  as  1628,  and  from  a  regular  growth,  has 
reached  the  consequence  which  it  now  maintains,  a- 
mongst  the  first  towns  in  the  northern  and  eastern 
states.  It  contains  ten  houses  of  public  worship,  be 
sides  other  public  buildings.  Its  population  in  1810, 
was  12,700. 

The  President,  in  that  seclusion  which  is  indispen 
sably  necessary  for  the  discharge  of  those  duties  which 


189 

require  reflection,  remained  some  days  in  Salem.     He 
left  it  on  the  twelfth,  and  proceeded  on  his  Tour. 

His  arrival  and  reception  -it  Newburyport^  is  well 
described  in  the  following  newspaper  article. 

"  On  the  morning  of  Saturday  last,  the  President  of 
the  United  States  arrived  in  this  town,  when  he  was 
welcomed  by  those  spontaneous  marks  of  respect, 
which  are  characteristic  of  a  free  and  enlightened  peo 
ple.  Agreeable  to  Brigade  Orders,  the  Field  and  Staff 
officers  of  this  Brigade,  repaired  to  Ipswich,  at  an  early 
hour,  to  receive  him.  After  being  greeted  with  the 
cordial  and  affectionate  salutations  of  the  citizens  of  that 
respectable  place — the  regiment  of  cavalry  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Coleman,  together  with  the  Field  of 
ficers  of  the  Brigade,  under  the  direction  of  Majors 
Scott  and  Wood,  who  were  appointed  by  the  Brigadier 
General,  as  Marshals  for  the  occasion,  took  up  the  es 
cort,  and  proceeded  to  Parker's  River  Bridge,  where 
he  was  met  by  the  Hon.  Bailey  Bartlett,  Sheriff  of 
Essex,  with  his  suite,  together  with  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements  from  Newburyport,  when  Col  Mosely, 
as  their  Chairman,  addressed  him  in  the  following  lan 
guage  : 

SIR — A  number  of  the  citizens  of  Newburyport,  and 
its  vicinity,  desirous  of  paying  }^ou  their  respects,  have 
-taken  the  liberty  to  meet  you  on  your  journey,  and 
with  your  permission  will  accompany  you  to  Newbury 
port,  where  the  citizens  of  that  town  will  be  happy, 
in  a  more  formal  manner,  to  pay  you  their  salutations. 

Being  joined  by  a  numerous  cavalcade  of  citizens, 
from  this  and  the  neighbouring  towns  ;  the  whole  pro- 


190  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

ceeded  to  Newbury  Green,  where  the  President  de 
scended  from  his  carriage,  and  mounted  his  horse.  On 
reaching  the  lines  of  Newburyport,  the  peal  of  bells, 
and  the  roar  of  cannon,  from  Capt.  Coffin's  correct  and 
well  disciplined  company  of  Artillery,  announced  the 
approach  of  the  distinguished  visitant.  As  the  caval 
cade  moved  through  High  street,  he  was-  greeted  with 
loud  and  repeated  huzzas  from  an  immense  concourse 
of  spectators,  assembled  to  testify  their  respect  for  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  our  nation. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  President  at  Bartlett  Mall,  he 
was  received  in  a  soldier-like  manner,  by  that  hnnd- 
some  corps,  the  "  Washington  Light  Infantry ,"  com 
manded  by  Capt.  Balch  ;  and,  passing  under  a  civic 
Arch,  which  was  tastefully  decorated  with  wreaths  of 
flowers,  his  attention  was  agreeably  arrested  by  an 
avenue  of  youths  of  both  sexes  to  the  number  of  eigh 
teen  hundred  and  fifty,  who  were  arranged  with  much 
order  and  regularity  on  both  sides  of  the  spacious 
area.  Their  countenances,  "  on  which  the  world  had 
left  no  traces  of  care,  and  vice  had  left  no  marks  of 
disorder,"  appeared  to  conciliate  his  esteem  and  to  in 
terest  him  in  their  behalf.  The  dress  of  the  scholars 
was  neat  and  becoming,  for  it  was  taken  from  the  ward 
robe  of  simplicity,  whilst  the  decorous  deportment 
which  influenced  their  conduct,  exemplified  that  their 
teachers  had  been  attentive  to  external  behaviour,  as 
well  as  the  more  important  objects  of  instruction.  In 
front  of  the  Court  House  was  displayed  a  venerable 
flas; ;  an  emblem  of  the  bravery  of  our  countrymen, 
for  it  waved  triumphantly  in  the  glorious  struggle  for 
Independence. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  191 

After  the  procession  had  passed  these  lines,  the 
whole  moved  through  Market,  Union,  Green,  Merri- 
mac  and  State  streets,  to  Gilman's  Hotel.  On  alighting 
from  his  horse,  a  larger  assemblage  than  was  ever  be 
fore  collected  in  this  town,  involuntarily  crowded  a- 
round  him,  solicitous  to  renew  their  pledges  of  good 
will. 

As  he  entered  the  room  prepared  for  his  reception, 
the  gratulating  shouts  of  his  fellow  citizens,  rent  the 
air.  After  these  plaudits  had  subsided,  the  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  rose  and  addressed  the  President  as 
follows  :" 

SIR — The  citizens  of  Newburyport,  by  their  Com 
mittee,  beg  leave  to  present  their  sincere  respects  to 
the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States. 

Having  been  called  by  a  free  and  intelligent  people, 
to  preside  over  their  most  important  concerns,  it  must 
be  peculiarly  grateful  to  your  feelings,  at  the  commence 
ment  of  your  arduous  duties,  to  be  made  more  particu 
larly  acquainted  with  their  local  interests,  aud  to  receive 
their  respectful  and  affectionate  salutations.  It  is  no 
less  pleasing  to  us  than  happy  for  the  nation,  that  we 
derive  the  honour  of  this  interview,  from  the  practical 
operation  of  that  maxim  of  your  illustrious  predeces 
sor,  the  Father  of  his  Country,  in  his  last  alfectionate 
address  to  his  fellow  citizens,  that  "  timely  disburse 
ments  to  prepare  for  danger,  frequently  prevent  much 
greater  disbursements,  to  repel  it."  A  numerous  and 
wealthy  population,  stretching  along  an  extensive  sea 
coast,  presents,  to  a  foreign  enemy,  many  all ;i  ring  ob 
jects  of  attack  ;  and  the  present  period  of  peace  and 
public  tranquillity,  appears  peculiarly  favourable  for 
your  patriotic  efforts  for  our  defence  and  security. 

Enjoying,  as  we  do,  the  blessings  of  a  free  govern 
ment,  our  attachment  cannot  be  the  less  ardent,  when 
administered  by  one  who  took  so  honounibb  arid  active 
a  part  in  those  measures  by  which  it  was  obtained, 


192  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

We  trust,  that  under  your  administration,  by  the  smiles 
of  a  kind  Providence,  a  spirit  of  peace  will  be  general 
ly  diffused,  the  venerable  and  pious  institutions  of  our 
Fathers  preserved,  and  the  citizens  meet  their  appro 
priate  rewards,  in  the  labours  of  agriculture,  manufac 
tures  and  commerce,  and  in  extending  the  sciences  and 
the  arts. 

Accept,  Sir,  our  best  wishes,  that  you  may  be  pros 
pered  in  the  important  objects  of  your  journey,  and  at 
the  close  of  your  labours,  receive  a  consolation,  the 
most  dear  to  a  patriot,  in  the  happiness  and  prosperity 
of  the  country. 

To  which  the  President  was  pleased  to  reply,  in  substance, 
as  follows : 

That  he  received,  with  great  sensibility,  the  atten 
tions  of  the  citizens  of  Newburyport ;  that  his  princi 
pal  object,  in  making  this  Tour,  was  to  see  the  situa 
tion  of  the  people,  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
and  the  entrance  and  harbours  of  the  principal  towns, 
and  to  acquire  such  information  as  would  enable  him  the 
better  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office  ;  that  in  his 
journey  he  had  been  highly  gratified  with  the  prosper 
ous  condition  of  the  people,  and  that  their  situation 
was  far  more  happy  than  that  of  any  other  in  any  part 
of  the  world  ;  and  that  he  could  not  be  sufficiently 
thankful  to  that  bountiful  Providence  which  had  confer 
red  upon  us  such  distinguished  blessings.  The  Presi 
dent  concluded  with  desiring,  that  his  grateful  senti 
ments,  for  the  kind  and  respectful  manner,  in  which  he 
had  been  received  by  the  citizens,  might  be  communi 
cated  to  them. 

"  After  mutually  exchanging  civilities  with  his  fel 
low  citizens,  the  President  and  suite  sat  down  to  a 
sumptuous  dinner  served  up  by  Mr.  Oilman,  with  much 
elegance  and  taste.  Gen.  Swift  presided  at  the  table. 

We  recognized,  with  much  satisfaction,  auiongst  the 
guests,  Ma).  Gen.  Dearborn,  Commodore  Bainbridge, 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  193 

Brigadier  General  Miller,  Dr.  Waterhouse,  and  Gen. 
Bricket,  with  the  Rev.  Clergy  of  this  and  the  neigh 
bouring  towns.  On  the  removal  of  the  cloth,  General 
Swift  announced  the  following  as  the  toast  of  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  : 

Happiness  and  Prosperity  to  the  Inhabitants  of  N>,wburyport. 

The  President,  having  signified  his  pleasure  to  dis 
pense  with  the  escort  of  cavalry,  arose  from  the  table  ; 
retired  into  another  apartment,  and,  after  taking  an  af 
fectionate  leave  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  he 
ascended  his  carriage  amidst  loud  and  reiterated  cheer- 
ings,  and  resumed  his  journey. 

At  Amesbury,  he  tarried  about  one  hour  ;  viewed 
the  valuable  Factories  in  that  place  ;  expressed  his 
admiration,  at  their  situation,  and  his  gratification  at 
their  flourishing  condition." 

It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  many  towns  followed  the 
example  first  set  by  the  citizens  of  Hartford  in  conduct 
ing  the  nation's  favourite  into  the  bosom  of  his  beloved 
citizens,  under  triumphal  arches.  The  Roman  Re 
public,  in  its  best  days,  received  the  returning  con 
queror  and  the  virtuous  senator  in  this  manner.  A 
servile  imitation  of  the  ancients,  in  the  nineteenth  cen 
tury  of  the  Christian  era,  may,  by  modern  literati,  be 
deemed  inconsistent  with  modern  improvement  ;  but 
until  the  world  produces  an  age  equal  to  that  of  Augus 
tus,  in  classical  elegance,  and  love  of  country,  an  imi 
tation  of  Romans  discovers  more  good  sense  than  con 
tempt  for  their  examples. 

Newburyport  is  situated  two  miles  above  the  mouth 
of  the  river  Merrimack.  The  harbour  is  capacious 
R 


194  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

and  safe.  It  has  a  regular  shore,  and  the  town  is  reg 
ularly  built.  High  street  overlooks  the  whole  town, 
and  affords  a  beautiful  prospect  of  the  harbour  and  the 
ocean.  Its  growth  has  been  more  rapid  than  that  of 
any  other  town  in  New  England.  The  language  of  ro 
mance  would  declare  that  it  rose  by  magic  ;  but  facts 
prove  that  it  grew  rapidly  up  by  the  energetic  exertion 
of  human  faculties.  It  is  probably  within  the  memory 
of  the  living,  when  this  flourishing  and  commercial  town 
was  a  village  of  fishermen.  Ship  building  has  been 
prosecuted  here  to  an  extent  unparalleled  in  the  com 
mercial  towns  upon  the  sea  board  of  the  union.  In 
1811,  a  sudden  conflagration,  with  all  its  appalling  hor 
rors,  reduced  much  of  the  labour  and  the  accumulation 
of  half  a  century  to  ashes.  But  the  calamity  produced 
a  display  of  munificence,  unequalled  in  the  annals  of 
sympathizing  benevolence.  By  the  aid  of  those  who 
"  cast  their  bread  upon  the  waters"  it  has  arisen  again 
from  the  desolation  of  fire  ;  "  a  good  servant,  but  a  terri 
ble  master"  It  has  seven  houses  of  public  worship, 
for  the  adoration  of  the  Deity,  and  a  Court  House  and 
a  Gaol,  for  the  trial  and  punishment  of  men.  Its  pop 
ulation  in  1810,  was  more  than  7,500. 

The  President  left  Newburyport  upon  the  12th,  and 
directed  his  course  toward  Portsmouth,  the  capital  of 
New  Hampshire.  The  following  is  the  manner  of  his 
reception  ;  the  address  there  delivered,  and  the  answer 
returned. 

"  The  President  left  Salem  in  the  morning,  and  after 
receiving  the  attentions  of  the  citizens  of  Ipswich, 
Newburyport,  &c.  and  visiting  the  woolen  factory  at 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  195 

Amesbury,  on  his  route,  arrived  in  this  town  about  7 
o'clock,  P.  M.  .  He  was  met  at  Greenland  by  the  Com 
mittee  of  Arrangements,  and  a  numerous  cavalcade  of 
citizens  on  horseback  and  in  carriages,  and  the  company 
of  cavalry  belonging  to  the  35th  regiment.  When  he 
passed  the  lines  of  the  town,  it  was  announced  by  a  na 
tional  salute  from  the  Artillery  company,  under  Capt. 
Currier,  stationed  on  the  Plains  :  and  on  the  arrival  of 
the  President  at  that  place,  he  viewed  the  1st  regiment 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Walker,  which  was  or 
dered  out  for  his  reception.  When  passing  Wibird's 
hill,  he  was  again  welcomed  by  a  national  salute  from 
the  company  of  Sea-Fencibles,  under  Captain  Brown, 
and  by  the  ringing  of  bells  ;  after  which  he  was  escort 
ed  into  town,  through  lines  formed  by  the  scholars  of 
the  several  public  and  private  schools  in  this  place,  who 
were  arranged  on  each  side  of  Middle  Road,  extending 
from  Mr.  Rundlett's  to  Major  Larkin's  house.  Their 
numbers  were  considerably  over  a  thousand,  and  they 
were  in  neat  uniforms,  and  furnished  an  interesting  and 
pleasing  spectacle. 

The  windows  on  the  streets  through  which  the  Pres 
ident  passed,  were  crowded  with  the  fair,  and  the  streets 
lined  with  spectators,  anxious  to  view  the  man  who 
had  been  raised  to  the  highest  possible  honour,  that  of 
being  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  free  people. 

On  the  entrance  of  the  President  into  Market  street, 
he  passed  through  an  arch  of  evergreen,  which  had 
been  tastefully  formed  by  the  ladies  of  this  town,  near 
which  a  band  of  music  received  him  with  national  and 
appropriate  airs.  After  arriving  at  Frost's  Hotel,  the 
President  and  suite,  together  with  the  Committee  of 


196  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

Arrangements,  appeared  in  the  balcony  over  the  door, 
which  was  fancifully  decorated,  when  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Mason,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens,  delivered  the  following 
address." 

TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

SIR — The  presence  of  the  Chief  Magistrate,  selected 
for  his  eminent  virtues  and  public  services,  to  preside 
over  and  direct  the  councils  of  a  great  nation,  must  al 
ways  excite  feelings  of -the  highest  interest.  The  in 
habitants  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  remote  from  the 
seat  of  general  government,  can  expect  few  opportuni 
ties  of  witnessing  such  a  gratifying  scene.  We  there 
fore  eagerly  embrace  this  fortunate  occasion,  to  present 
our  ardent  avd  sincere  congratulations. 

Engaged  chiefty  in  the  business  of  commerce  and  nav 
igation,  we  know  that  our  destinies  are,  in  a  peculiar 
manner,  dependent  on  the  measures  of  that  government, 
to  which  the  protection  of  those  important  objects,  is 
exclusively  confided.  These  enterprising  pursuits, 
whi'-h  have  always  been  greatly  contributory  to  the 
general  welfare,  are  now  suffering  under  a  temporary 
depression.  But  we  have  entire  confidence,  that  the 
wisdom  and  justice  of  government,  will  extend  to  them 
all  the  protection  and  support,  that  shall  be  in  its 
power. 

To  superintend  and  conduct  the  national  concerns 
has  always,  in  free  governments,  been  the  favourite 
employment  of  the  best  and  greatest  men.  By  no  other 
means  can  an  individual  of  distinguished  talents  so  emi 
nently  promote  the  public  good.  The  successful  per 
formance  of  such  duties  must,  at  all  times,  constitute  a 
sure  claim  to  the  gratitude  of  a  generous  people.  This, 
Sir.  is  the  arduous  and  honourable  service,  which  is 
entrusted  to  you,  by  the  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

Sensible  how  greatly  the  national  prosperity  depends 
on  the  due  administration  of  the  government,  we  recall 
to  our  recollection,  with  much  satisfaction,  the  numer 
ous  pledges  of  attachment  to  the  public  interest,  fur 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  197 

nished  by  the  history  of  your  past  life.  It  is  our  ear 
nest  and  confident  hope  that  your  administration,  by 
perfecting  our  valuable  institutions,  and  by  uniting 
public  sentiment,  and  wisely  directing  it  to  proper  na 
tional  objects,  may  fulfil  the  present  happy  anticipa 
tions,  and  thus  establish,  on  a  firm  basis,  your  own  and 
your  country's  happiness,  "honour  and  glory. 

»J.  MASON, 

in  b eked f  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town of  Portsmouth. 

The  President's  Answer, 
To  the  Committee  from  the  town  of  Portsmouth. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS — Accept  my  best  thanks  for  your 
kind  reception,  which  is  characterized  by  so  many  in 
teresting  circumstances. 

This  general  movement  of  my  fellow  citizens,  and  the 
expression  of  their  regard,  for  the  Chief  Magistrate  of 
the  Nation,  is  not  directed  to  me  personally.  My  hum 
ble  services,  give  me  no  such  claim.  I  see  in  it  the 
strongest  evidence  of  their  attachment  to  the  free  gov 
ernment  under  which  we  live,  and  of  an  enlightened, 
and  expanded  patriotism,  from  which,  the  happiest  ef 
fects  may  be  anticipated. 

The  regulation  of  commerce,  has,  as  you  justly  re 
mark,  been  coniided  by  our  excellent  constitution  to 
the  general  government.  From  the  manner,  in  which 
that  high  trust  has  heretofore  been  discharged,  the 
most  salutary  effects  have  been  derived  by  every  section 
of  our  happy  union.  Occasional  depressions  ought  not 
to  excite  surprise.  They  are  inseparably  connected 
with  human  affairs.  It  is  our  happy  lot,  "from  the  a- 
bundance  of  our  resources,  to  experience  no  serious 
misfortune,  from  any  that  have  yet  occurred.  The  at 
tention  of  the  general  government,  in  its  several  branch 
es,  will  be  constantly  directed  to  this  object,  and,  as 
we  have  every  reason  to  presume,  with  the  desired 
success. 

It  has  been  my  proudest  ambition,  from  early  youth, 
R2 


198  PRESIDENT'S  TOIK, 

to  serve  my  country,  in  such  offices,  as  my  fellow  citi 
zens  have  thought  fit  to  confide  to  me.  It  will  he  my 
most  consoling  reward,  when  I  retire  from  public  life, 
to  find,  that  my  conduct  has  been  such  as  to  merit  and 
obtain  their  approbation. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

| 

"  The  Portsmouth  Regiment  passed  him  in  review  at 

the  hotel  and  paid  him  the  marching  salute.  After  a 
number  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  had  been  in 
troduced  to  him,  he  was  escorted  to  his  lodgings  at  Mr, 
Wentworth's  in  Jeffery  street,  by  the  Committee  of  Ar 
rangements  and  Marshals. 

-  On  Sunday  morning  the  President  attended  divine 
service  at  St.  John's  church,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Putnam's  meeting  house.  He  also  paid  a 
visit  to  our  revolutionary  patriot,  Gov.  LANGDON. 

The  President  visited  the  Navy  Yard,  and  Forts  in 
the  harbour.  Salutes  were  fired  at  his  arrival  and  de 
parture. 

In  the  evening  he  attended  a  Concert  given  by  the 
Social  Harmoniac  Society,  at  Jefferson  Hall,  which  was 
very  elegantly  decorated." 

The  town  of  Portsmouth,  is  situated  about  two  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  the  river  Piscatagua.  It  is  the 
only  sea  port  town  in  the  state,  which  has  but  about 
fifteen  miles  of  sea  board  in  its  whole  territory.  But 
as  a  compensation  for  its  contracted  limits  upon  the 
ocean,  it  may  lay  claim  to  one  of  the  finest  harbours 
which  that,  and  the  majestic  rivers  which  embosom 
themselves  in  it,  has  formed  upon  the  continent  of  A- 
merica.  At  this  place  was  built  the  first  Ship  of  the  Li.-i? 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  199 

in  the  American  Navy,  that  graced  the  surface  of  its 
native  element  ;  and  it  bears  "  a  name  that  strikes  all 

human  titles  dead" WASHINGTON. Although 

Portsmouth  is  almost  surrounded  by  flourishing  com 
mercial  towns,  it  has,  for  nearly  a  century  past,  prose 
cuted  commerce  to  advantage.  Its  repeated  sufferings 
by  conflagration,  has  essentially  checked  its  growth. 
But  the  overwhelming  visitations  of  adversity  have  not, 
as  yet,  arrested  the  progress  of  that  prosperity  which  is 
always  within  the  reach  of  industry.  Although  this 
town  will  not  rank  with  the  great  towns  of  what  is  em 
phatically  called  "  THE  GREAT  NATION  ;"  yet,  it  is  the 
capital  of — "*#  State  that  yields  to  none  in  the  Union.,  in 
attachment  to  the  General  Government."  Vessels  of  the 
greatest  burthen  can  reach  the  wharves  in  this  town. 
It  contains  a  state  house,  five  houses  of  public  worship, 
and,  in  1810,  its  population  was  7000. 

The  President  left  Portsmotfth  upon  the  15th  July, 
and  passed  the  Piscataqua,  which  landed  him  upon  a 
section  of  Massachusetts,  much  larger,  in  point  of  terri 
tory,  than  Massachusetts  Proper. 

The  District,  once  called  the  Province  of  Maine,  is 
nearly  two  hundred  miles  square.  It  composes  the 
northeast  angle  of  the  union.  Upon  the  north,  it  has 
the  British  Province  of  Lower  Canada — upon  the  east, 
the  British  Province  of  New-Brunswick — upon  the 
south,  the  Atlantic.  Being  thus  almost  surrounded  by 
a  powerful  enemy,  it  was,  for  a  long  time,  during  the  last 
war,  a  portion  of  it,  possessed  by  this  enemy.  Its  citi 
zens  submitted  to  what  was  deemed  imperious  necessi 
ty.  The  physical  power  of  its  patriotic  citizens  was 
sufficient  to  extirpate,  if  not  to  annihilate  the  enemy, 


200  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

that,  for  a  time,  took  from  them  the  right  of  self-govern 
ment,  and  subjected  them  to  the  unacknowledged  con 
trol  of  a  foreign  potentate.  By  the  military  power  of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  it  was  thought 
inexpedient  and  unnecessary  to  attempt  the  expulsion 
of  an  enemy,  whose  headquarters,  at  Castine,  benefit- 
ted  individual  interest,  more  than  their  expulsion  would 
have  advanced  national  character.  Much  human  blood 
was  undoubtedly  saved  by  permitting  the  enemy  to  re 
main,  for  a  long  time,  in  peaceable  possession  of  a  por 
tion  of  the  American  Republic.  Castine  was  built ; 
individuals  were  enriched,  and  the  national  character 
was  sufficiently  supported  at  Plattsburgh,  Bridgewater, 
Chippewa,  New-Orleans,  and  Stonington. 

The  limits  of  this  work  precludes  a  particular  de 
scription  of  the  country.  The  ocean,  in  its  expanded 
grandeur,  is  presented  to  the  eye  of  the  traveller.  It 
expends  the  force  of  its«urges  upon  the  pebbled  shore 
of  the  District  of  Maine.  Her  sons,  feeling  a  rigid  cli 
mate  at  home,  have  sought  "  an  home  upon  the  deep," 
and  have  become  the  pride  of  the  ocean. 

The  Address  delivered  upon  the  borders  of  Maine, 
does  credit  to  the  classical  elegance,  and  genuine  pat 
riotism  of  the  Committee. 

"  On  his  arrival  at  the  shore,  he  was  met  by  the 
Hon.  John  Holmes,  and  Hon.  Albion  K.  Parris,  mem 
bers  of  Congress  ;  W.  P.  Prebble,  Esq.  District  At 
torney  ;  and  several  other  gentlemen  from  various 
towns  in  the  District,  and  was  received  with  three 
cheers  by  a  large  concourse  of  citizens  assembled  on 
the  banks  of  the  river.  The  Hon.  Mr.  Holmes  pre 
sented  him  with  the  following  Address  : 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  201 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — As  citizens  of  Maine,  we  take  the  liberty  to 
meet  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation,  on  his  enter 
ing  our  District,  and  to  pay  him  our  respects.  It  be 
ing  the  first  time  a  President  of  the  United  States  has 
visited  this  section  of  the  country,  it  is  a  source  of  pe 
culiar  satisfaction,  to.meet  and  greet  one,  whose  pri 
vate  virtues  and  public  administrations  have  been  so 
much,  and  so  justly  admired  by  the  people  of  Maine. 

Permit  us,  Sir,  for  ourselves,  and  our  friends,  to  con 
gratulate  you  on  your  election  as  President,  and  bid 
you  a  cordial  welcome  to  this  part  of  the  Union  ;  to 
tender  you  our  services  to  alleviate  the  fatigues  of 
your  journey,  and  our  wishes  and  exertions,  that  all 
your  labours  for  the  public  may  be  received  with  grat 
itude,  and  crowned  with  success. 

Through  the  wisdom  of  yourself,  and  your  co-patri 
ots  ;  the  patriotism  of  the  people,  and  the  favour  of 
Heaven,  you  have  the  singular  felicity  to  receive  the 
voluntary  homage  of  the  nation,  and  to  witness  its 
peace,  prosperity,  freedom  and  happiness. 

This  journey,  like  the  journey  of  your  life,  is  com 
menced  and  pursued  for  the  public  good.  Like  that, 
its  fatigues  have  been  endured  with  patience,  its  ob 
stacles  overcome  with  perseverance,  its  storms  en 
countered  with  firmness,  and  its  refreshing  sunshines 
relished  with  equanimity  and  gratitude.  In  each,  as 
you  have  advanced,  you  have  acquired  additional  ho 
nour,  reverence,  and  love.  In  your  future  progress  in 
both,  may  your  health  be  preserved,  your  country's 
prosperity  and  glory  secured  ;  and  the  affections,  con 
fidence,  and  union  of  the  people  increased  and  confirm 
ed.  And  when  these  respective  journies  shall  be  ended, 
and  you  shall  return  home,  may  you  at  the  close  of  the 
one,  be  received  in  health  and  happiness  to  the  em 
braces  of  an  affectionate  f  unily,  and  of  the  other,  to 
the  favour  and  fruition  of  Him,  who  will  never  fail  to 
reward  the  great  and  the  good, 


202  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

"  To  which  the  President  made  an  extemporaneous 
reply,  and  expressed  "  the  high  gratification"  he  felt 
"  in  being  thus  met  and  received  by  gentlemen,  for 
whose  private  virtues  and  public  character  he  enter 
tained  so  much  respect."  The  President  was  then 
conducted  to  his  carriage  and  proceeded  to  York,  un 
der  an  escort  of  Cavalry,  followed  by  officers  of  the 
militia  in  uniform,  and  citizens  on  horseback  and  in 
carriages.  On  his  arrival  at  that  place,  a  federal  salute 
was  fired  by  the  Company  of  Artillery  ^  paraded  for 
the  occasion,  commanded  by  Capt.  Freeman.  He  was 
also  met  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  at  the 
head  of  which  was  the  venerable  and  respectable  Judge 
Sewall,  of  the  United  States  District  Court,  now  in  the 
eighty-second  year  of  his  age.  The  venerable  Judge, 
in  a  short  and  appropriate  address,  for  himself  and  in 
behalf  of  the  citizens  of  York,  bade  him  a  hearty  wel 
come,  to  which  the  President  made  an  affectionate  re 
ply.  The  President  and  suite  then  proceeded  with  the 
Judge,  accompanied  by  the  Committee  of  Arrange 
ments,  to  his  house,  where  they  sat  down  to  an  excel 
lent  breakfast.  At  9  o'clock,  the  President  again  com 
menced  his  Tour,  preceded  by  the  cavalry  and  gene 
ral  officers  of  the  division,  and  followed  by  a  large  ca 
valcade  of  officers  and  citizens  on  horseback  and  in  car 
riages.  At  Wells,  he  was  met  by  G.  W.  Wallingford, 
J.  Storer,  J.  Dane,  Esquires,  and  other  gentlemen,  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements  from  the  towns  of  Wells  and 
Arundel,  in  company  with  a  large  concourse  of  citi 
zens.  The  Committee  of  Arrangements  conducted  the 
President  to  Jefferd's  Hotel,  in  Kennebunk,  where  they 
presented  to  him  a  very  appropriate  written  address. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOVR.  203 

Here  also  the  President  was  met  by  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements  from  the  towns  of  Alfred  and  Sanford,  and 
received  an  extempore  address  from  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Holmes,  their  Chairman,  congratulating  him  on  his 
election,  expressing  confidence  in  his  character  and  ad 
ministration,  and  welcoming  him  to  Maine.  To  these 
addresses,  the  President  replied  extemporaneously, 
thanking  the  gentlemen  for  their  kindness  and  their  at 
tentions  ;  expressing  great  confidence  in  the  permanen 
cy  of  our  republican  ipftitutions,  and  of  the  attachment 
of  the  people  to  the  constitution  and  union  of  the 
States.  These  replies  were  made  in  the  hearing  of  a 
large  and  respectable  concourse  of  citizens,  and  were 
received  with  loud  and  repeated  bursts  of  applause. 

From  Jefferd's  Hotel,  the  President  proceeded  on 
foot  with  his  suite  and  several  other  gentlemen  across 
the  bridge  over  Mousum  river,  which  had  been  taste 
fully  ornamented  with  an  arch  of  evergreen.  He  thence 
proceeded  to  his  carriage  on  foot  through  the  principal 
street,  across  which  waved  a  line  of  ensigns  and  stand 
ards,  and  on  the  left  of  which  was  arranged  the  gentle 
men,  and  on  the  right,  the  ladies  of  the  village.  From 
Kennebunk,  the  President  proceeded  with  the  escort 
and  cavalcade  to  Biddeford  ;  near  the  line  of  which, 
he  was  received  by  the  Hon.  Judge  Thacher,  and 
other  gentlemen,  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  from 
that  town,  who  also  presented  him  an  appropriate  Ad 
dress,  to  which  he  replied  with  usual  readiness,  and 
with  pleasing  effect.  Here  the  escort  and  cavalcade 
received  a  very  large  accession  of  citizens,  and  pro 
ceeded  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Lane,  Chief  Mar 
shal,  through  the  village,  the  President  on  horseback, 


204  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR, 

to  the  line  of  Saco,  where  he  was  received  and  welcom 
ed  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  from  the  town 
of  Saco.  On  his  arrival  at  the  bridge  leading;  into  the 
village,  which  was  handsomely  ornamented  with  an  arch 
of  evergreen,  he  was  received  with  a  national  salute 
from  Capt.  Cleaves'  Company  of  Artillery,  and  was 
welcomed  by  the  hearty  and  repeated  acclamations  of 
the  largest  assemblage  of  citizens  ever  witnessed  in 
that  town.  After  being  conducted  to  Cleaves'  Hotel, 
the  President  was  waited  upon  by  the  Selectmen  of  Sa 
co,  in  their  official  capacity,  who  there  presented  to 
him,  by  order  of  the  town,  an  address  expressive  of 
the  sentiments  and  feelings  of  the  town,  voted,  and 
adopted,  in  legal  town  meeting.  To  this  address,  the 
President  made  a  satisfactory  and  dignified  reply.  Af 
ter  dining,  the  President  proceeded  with  the  escort  and 
cavalcade  through  Scarborough  to  Westbrook.  At  Scar 
borough  the  citizens  had  erected  in  honour  of  the  Pres 
ident,  an  arch  of  evergreen  across  the  highway,  fanci 
fully  ornamented  with  roses,  so  arranged  as  to  present, 
in  large  capitals,  to  the  eye,  the  sentiment,  "  UNITED 
WE  STAND." 

The  President,  under  an  escort  of  Cavalry,  comman 
ded  by  Maj.  Trowbridge,  arrived  at  Westbrook,  about  6 
o'clock,  Tuesday  evening.  The  citizens  had  for  two  or 
three  days  before,  busily  employed  themselves  in  deco 
rating  the  bridge  over  which  the  President  was  to  pass, 
as  an  expression  of  their  respect  for  the  first  magistrate 
of  the  nation.  Nineteen  arches  were  thrown  over  it, 
dressed  with  evergreen  and  roses,  tastefully  festooned, 
and  connected  by  an  evergreen  wreath,  one  for  each 
state,  with  the  name  of  the  state  in  large  letters  on  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  206 

top  of  the  arch.  A  twentieth  was  erected  as  symboli 
cal  of  the  union.  Surmounting  this  arch  was  another 
of  a  shorter  chord  and  deeper  curve,  the  base  resting 
upon  it,  dressed  like  the  first  in  evergreen,  and  was  em 
blazoned  in  front  with  nineteen  brilliant  stars.  Froni 
the  brow  of  the  hill  before  the  bridge,  for  seme  distance 
beyond,  were  planted  ranges  of  small  white  pines, 
spruce,  larch,  &c.  on  each  side  of  the  way,  exhibit 
ing  to  the  eye  the  appearance  of  a  flourishing  green 
hedge,  and  forming  a  beautiful  mall  for  the  distance  of 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  whole  produced  a 
most  pleasing  and  picturesque  effect. 

As  the  President  arrived  at  the  brow  of  the  hill,  he 
alighted  from  his  carriage,  descended  the  declivity,  and 
passed  the  bridge  on  foot.  As  he  was  passing  under 
the  arches,  a  national  salute  was  fired  from  the  hill 
above. 

A  living  Eagle,  a  native  of  our  own  forests,  and  the 
symbol  of  our  martial  prowess,  perched  on  the  summit 
of  the  twentieth  arch,  and  under  the  canopy  of  stars, 
by  which  it  was  surmounted,  apparently  watching,  with 
intense  curiosity  and  surprise,  the  concourse  of  people 
passing  under  him,  heightened  in  the  bosom  of  every 
beholder,  the  interest  of  this  lively  spectacle.  It  was 
a  delightful  sight  to  behold  this  haughty  monarch  of  the 
feathered  tribe,  the  pride  of  the  forest,  encircled  by  the 
blaze  of  the  stars  he  loves,  stifling,  for  a  moment,  his 
untamed  spirit  of  liberty  ;  and  gratefully  spreading  his 
pinions,  as  the  chief  of  the  nation  passed,  which  had 
chosen  him  from  the  whole  range  of  animated  nature, 
as  the  emblem  of  its  glory  and  strength." 
S 


200  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR, 

In  this  flattering  manner,  was  the  President  received 
in  this  District,  once  more  under  the  government  of  the 
Man  of  their  choice,  and  conducted  to  Portland,  the 
capital  of  this  extensive  territory.  He  was  thus  re 
ceived  in  that  place. 

"  At  6  o'clock  in  the  aftenoon  the  President  arrived 
on  the  western  border  of  the  town,  where  he  was  met 
by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  and  a  numerous  cav 
alcade  of  citizens  on  horseback  and  in  carriages.  Isaac 
Adams,  Esq.  was  immediately  introduced  and  announced 
to  the  President  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements  of  the  town  of  Portland,  by  Marshal 
Thornton,  General  Richardson  and  his  suite  attending. 
Whereupon  Mr.  Adams  addressed  the  President  as  fol 
lows  : 

SIR — With  the  greatest  satisfaction  and  sentiments 
of  the  highest  respect,  I  perform  the  pleasing  duty  as 
signed  me  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  of  bid 
ding  the  President  of  the  United  States,  a  cordial  wel 
come  to  the  town  of  Portland,  and  request  the  favour 
of  attending  you  to  the  house  prepared  for  your  recep 
tion,  where,  by  permission,  the  Committee  will  avail 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  more  fully  expressing 
the  feelings  and  sentiments  entertained  by  themselves 
and  their  fellow  townsmen  on  having  the  honour  of  a 
visit  from  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation. 

"  The  President  instantly  signified  his  compliance  ; 
left  his  carriage  and  made  his  entry  into  the  capital  of 
the  District  of  Maine  on  horseback,  according  to  pre 
vious  arrangements. 

When  the  President  and  the  procession  passed  from 
Maine  Street  through  Back-street  to  King-street,  asbeau- 
tiful  and  as  interesting  a  scene  was  presented,  as  ever 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  207 

was  exhibibited  in  this  or  any  other  place.  The  scholars 
belonging  to  the  several  schools,  with  their  respective 
Instructors,  each  having  an  appropriate  badge,  were 
paraded  on  the  westerly  side  ;  many  of  the  youths  of 
both  sexes  were  clad  in  tasteful  uniforms,  having  their 
heads  encircled  with  wreaths,  formed  of  roses  red  and 
white,  which  some  took  off  and  presented  to  the  illustri 
ous  Chief  as  he  passed,  and  others  scattered  them  in  the 
street,  so  that  his  way  became  literally  strewed  with 
flowers.  With  this  part  of  the  arrangements,  the  Pres 
ident  was  particularly  interested  and  affected,  manifest 
ing  to  this  portion  of  the  rising  generation,  as  he  rode 
by,  the  most  marked  attention. 

In  Middle-street,  the  Procession  passed  under  a  su 
perb  arch  formed  of  evergreens,  and  decorated  with  the 
flag  of  the  United  States  and  the  colours  of  various  na 
tions.  On  one  side  was  represented  Agriculture,  on 
the  other,  Commerce,  by  a  merchant  ship,  which  fired 
a  salute  as  the  President  approached.  When  the  Presi 
dent  arrived  at  the  head  of  High-street,  he  left  the  pro 
cession  with  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  who 
were  received  by  the  battalion  of  Light  Infantry,  com 
posed  of  the  Portland  Light  Infantry  company,  the  Ri 
fle  company,  and  the  Mechanic  Blues,  with  the  custo 
mary  salutes,  and  conducted  him  to  the  house  prepared 
for  his  reception.  The  houses  situated  on  the  streets 
through  which  the  procession  passed,  were  filled  with 
the  FAIR,  presenting  at  every  door  and  window,  inno 
cence,  beauty  arid  elegance.  The  declining  sun  shed  a 
bright  lustre  over  the  whole,  and  all  the  best  feelings 
of  the  assembly  were  in  unison  with  the  harmony  of 
nature,  and  the  joy  of  the  occasion. 


t08  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

The  committee  of  arrangements  having  been  introdu 
ced  to  the  President,  by  their  Chairman,  in  a  short  time 
he  came  out  upon  the  steps  of  the  portico,  accompanied 
by  the  committee,  when  Mr.  Adams  addressed  him  as 
follows  : 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  wrait  on  you,  sir, 
in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Portland,  on  your  arrival  in 
this  town,  to  tender  you  the  homage  due  to  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  a  free  Republic. 

A  visit,  for  the  first  time,  to  this  place,  of  a  person 
age  of  high  distinction,  who  has  so  recently  been  elect 
ed,  under  such  favourable  auspices,  to  wield  the  des 
tinies  of  a  great  people,  will  be  expected  to  excite  no 
ordinary  sensations.  We  see  in  your  elevation  to  the 
Chief  Magistracy,  a  fellow  citizen  of  great  experience 
in  the  policy  of  nations,  nnd  one,  whose  life  has  been 
spent  in  the  service  of  his  native  country.  We  have 
ever  been  amongst  those  who  have  deemed  experience 
to  be  the  only  correct  source  of  political  wisdom,  and 
have  never  ceased  to  place  a  higher  value  upon  its 
precepts,  than  upon  the  theories  of  imagination. 

Your  Tour  through  the  Union,  evinces  how  highly 
you  appreciate  the  knowledge  derived  from  your  own 
observation,  above  the  uncertain  intelligence,  collected 
from  other  sources.  And  the  early  period  of  your 
Presidential  term,  at  which  this  Tour  is  commenced, 
augurs  auspiciously  to  the  great  interest  of  our  common 
country.  May  all  your  efforts  to  promote  the  honour 
and  advance  the  prosperity  of  the  nation,  be  duly  ap 
preciated  by  an  enlightened  nnd  grateful  people. 

Here,  Sir,  you  behold  a  town,  on£e  a  victim  to  the 
war  of  that  revolution,  in  which  y*6u  commenced  your 
patriotic  career.  What  you  now  see.  is  but  the  Phoe 
nix  from  its  ashes,  reanimated  and  invigorated  by  the 
vivifying  influence  of  the  Federal  Constitution.  To 
the  fostering  care  of  the  general  Government,  to  its 
protection  and  encouragement  of  commercial  interests, 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  £'0? 

.j'v  we  indebted  for  the  prosperity  we  have  enjoyed, 
and  on  its  future  protection  and  encouragement  must 
we  rely,  for  the  accomplishment  of  our  best  hopes. 

Permit  us,  Sir,  to  bid  you  welcome  ;  to  present  you 
with  the  respectful  salutations  of  our  fellow  citizens. 
May  your  visit  here,  afford  you  some  portion  of  that 
satisfaction  it  imparts  to  others.  And  be  assured,  that 
in  all  your  exertions  to  promote  the  public  welfare,  you 
will  be  aided  and  supported  by  the  patriotism  of  this 
section  of  the  union. 

Under  your  administration,  may  our  civil,  religious 
and  literary  institutions  be  protected  and  encouraged  ; 
commerce,  agriculture  and  manufactures  fostered  and 
promoted,  and  that  freedom  and  independence,  which, 
in  the  field,  you  laboured  to  achieve,  defended  and  pre 
served. 

That  your  hands  may  be  strengthened,  and  your 
heart  encouraged,  in  the  discharge  of  the  high  duties 
of  your  office  ;  we  would  commend  you  to  the  favour 
of  that  Being  who  is  the  fountain  of  all  power  and  wis 
dom,  with  our  ardent  aspirations  to  Him  that  your  life 
maybe  long  and  happy  ;  that  the  union  of  these  States, 
our  republican  form  of  government,  and  the  prosperity 
of  our  beloved  country,  may  be  perpetual. 
For  the  Committee  of  Arrangements, 

ISAAC  ADAMS,  Chairman. 

"  To  which  the  President  made  an  able,  full  and  af 
fectionate  answer,  stating  the  object  of  his  Tour  through 
the  Union,  which  was  intended  to  be  principally  devot 
ed  to  subjects  of  a  national  and  public  nature,  such  as 
the  situation  of  the  public  defence,  both  military  and 
naval,  and  by  personal  observation  to  examine  into  the 
state  of  commerce,  and  other  subjects  of  importance. 

In  pursuing  these  objects,  he  had  every  where  met 
with  the  most  respectful  attentions  and  friendly  recep 
tion.  The  manner  of  his  being  received  \\>  Portland, 
he  spoke  of  as  peculiarly  so.  He  spoke  of  the  great 
S2 


210  PRESIDENT'S 

importance  of  commerce,  as  it  respected  the  country  at 
large,  and  this  section  in  particular,  to  encourage 
which,  the  institutions  alluded  to,  and  preserve  and 
maintain  the  Union,  Independence,  Freedom  and  pros 
perity  of  the  nation,  would  be  his  constant  endeavour. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  many  citizens  of  this  and 
other  towns,  and  the  Committee  from  Topsham,  Bruns 
wick,  Bath,  and  Wiscasset,  waited  on  the  President  at 
his  lodgings,  and  were  received  with  great  urbanity  and 
attention. 

At  4  o'clock,  the  President  sat  down  to  an  elegant 
dinner,  with  a  number  of  guests,  among  which,  were 
the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  Gens.  Dearborn,  Swift, 
Miller,  King,  Wadsworth  and  Wingate  ;  Com.  Bain- 
bridge,  Col.  House,  and  Maj.  Crane  ;  T.  G.  Thornton, 
Esq.  Marshal  of  Maine,  William  P.  Preble,  Esq.  United 
States  District  Attorney,  Hon.  Messrs.  Prentiss  Mellen, 
Ezekiel  Whitman,  Benjamin  Orr,  John  Holmes,  M.  L. 
Hill,  A.  K.  Paris,  Abel  Wood,  Benjamin  Vaughan,  Esq. 
and  others  whose  names  are  not  recollected. 

After  the  President  retired  from  the  table,  Mr.  Mams 
gave  the  following  toast. 

Our  illustrious  Visitor— JAMES  MONROE,  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States. 

At  6  o'clock,-the  President,  attended  by  his  suite, 
and  a  number  of  gentlemen,  took  a  short  ride  into  the 
country,  and  visited  the  village  of  Stroudwater  ;  the 
bridge  at  this  place  had  been  most  fancifully  and  ele 
gantly  decorated  ;  over  which  nineteen  arches  had 
been  erected,  representing  the  different  States  ;  on  one 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  21 1 

arch  a  live  eagle  was  perched.  The  municipal  author 
ity  of  Westbrook  waited  on  the  President  with  the  sa 
lutations  of  their  fellow  citizens.  The  President  left 
his  carriage  and  proceeded  across  the  bridge  on  foot  ; 
was  highly  delighted  with  the  elegance  in  which  it  was 
ornamented,  and  expressed  much  satisfaction  at  the 
friendly  manner  of  his  reception. 

On  Thursday  morning  the  President  left  town  and 
took  breakfast  with  Judge  Thacher,  in  Biddeford.  Here 
the  venerable  Deacon  Samuel  Chase,  now  in  the  99th 
year  of  his  age,  waited  on  the  President,  and  on  being 
introduced,  addressed  him  with  the  simplicity  of  a 
Christian,  and  the  affection  of  a  father.  It  was  an  inter 
esting  scene,  especially  when  the  good  old  man  rose, 
and  with  all  the  dignity  of  an  ancient  patriarch,  pronoun 
ced  his  blessing." 

The  interest  of  the  President's  visit  at  Portland,  was 
very  much  increased  by  receiving  there  the  deputations 
from  the  towns  of  Bath,  Wiscasset,  Brunswick,  and  Top- 
sham,  and  their  addresses.  As  they  were  all  in  the 
same  spirit,  but  one  is  inserted  ;  and  the  President's 
answer  to  the  whole,  is  given,  which  shows  his  senti 
ments  upon  the  subject  of  Commerce. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — We  received  last  evening,  with  much  regret, 
the  information  that  the  imperious  calls  of  duty,  will 
prevent  you  from  extending  your  journey  beyond  this 
town.  Our  regret,  indeed,  is  greatly  diminished  by  the 
kindness  with  which  you  received  our  invitation,  and 
by  the  politeness  with  which  you  assigned  your  reasons 
for  declining  it.  Little  of  public  importance  would  be 


212  PRESIDENT'S   TOI  R. 

presented  to  your  notice  in  Bath  ;  but  much  of  private 
feeling,  of  ardent  attachment,  would  he  e\inced  toward 
the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Union,  whose  public  char 
acter  we  have  long  been  accustomed  to  respect,  and 
.whose  private  worth  we  have  learned  to  admire.  The 
prosperity  of  our  town  depends  upon  a  free  intercourse 
with  foreign  nations,  and  a  proper  limitation  to  the  ad 
mission  of  foreign  vessels  from  ports  which  our  vessels 
are  not  permitted  to  enter.  The  protection,  afforded 
by  garrisons  and  fortifications  in  time  of  war,  is  general 
ly  the  result  of  preparation  in  time  of  peace.  We  rely, 
sir,  upon  the  generous  regard  you  have  exhibited  for 
every  section  of  our  country,  and  upon  the  feelings 
that  prompted  you  to  undertake  this  journey  ;  and,  in 
placing  this  confidence,  we  are  sure  that  our  own  pe 
culiar  interests  will  not  be  neglected.  We  feel  grate 
ful,  sir,  that  your  journey  has  hitherto  been  so  propi 
tious,  that  you  have  met  with  no  occurrence  to  dimi 
nish  the  pleasure  you  have  derived  in  witnessing  the 
attachment  of  your  fellow  citizens. 

Accept,  sir,  our  sincere  wishes  that  your  health  may 
long  continue,  and  that  the  remainder  of  your  Tour  may 
be  as  pleasant  to  yourself  as  it  will  be  interesting  to  the 
Country. 

To  the  Committee  from  the  towns   of  Bath,   Wiscasset, 
Brunswick  and  Topsham. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS — 1  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that  it 
would  afford  me  sere  at  and  sincere  pleas  lire,  to  proceed 
to  the  towns  which  you  represent,  and  even  to  Castine, 
if  imperious  circumstances  did  not  prevent  it.  I  under 
took  this  Tour,  to  acquire  information  by  personal  in 
spection,  of  our  principal  harbours,  of  the  entrmces 
into  them,  of  the  state  of  the  public  works  and  of  the 
points  at  which  it  might  be  proper  to  erect  others,  and  it 
was  my  object  to  embrace  in  it  the  Atlantic  coast,  to 
the  extent  mentioned,  and  the  inland  frontier,  as  far  as 
Detroit.  I  now  find,  notwithstanding  the  exertions 
which  I  r,  tve  oad?,  that  if  I  proceed  further  to  the 
Eastward,  I  shall  be  compelled  to  abandon  all  the  Wes- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  213 

tern  part  of  my  contemplated  Tour,  or  be  thrown  on 
the  hikes  at  an  unfavourable  season  ;  and  shall  likewise 
be  ueiivned  from  the  seat  of  Govf '  iment,  longer  than 
a  due  regard,  for  other  important  national  interests  will 
pei  •  it.  I  regret,  therefore,  to  be  compelled  by  these 
considerations,  to  terminate  my  Tour  eastward,  here  ; 
considerations,  which  will,  I  doubt  not,  have  their  due 
weight,  with  you,  and  my  other  fellow  citizens  of  the 
District  of  Maine. 

I  am  happy  to  meet  here,  deputies  from  so  many  of 
the  towns,  to  the  eastward,  because,  from  you,  I  shall 
receive  much  information,  touching  your  local  interest, 
which  will  be  useful.  I  shall  pay  to  it  the  utmost  at 
tention  in  my  power. 

I  am  aware,  that  the  prosperity  of  the  towns  in  this 
District,  and  I  may  extend  the  remark  to  the  United 
States,  depends  on  the  prosperous  state  of  their  com 
merce.  Nothing  is  more  just,  than,  that  our  trade  with 
foreign  powers,  should  be  placed,  in  every  branch,  on 
a  footing  of  reciprocal  and  equal  advantage.  It  gives 
me  pleasure  to  state,  that  this  important  interest,  has, 
already,  received  the  considerations  of  the  national 
councils,  and  that  1  have  no  doubt  it  will  continue  to  be 
duly  attended  to,  until  it  is  placed  on  a  just  and  satisfac 
tory  footing. 

On  all  the  great  concerns  of  this  highly  favoured  and 
happy  nation,  there  is  but  one  common  interest.  We 
are  all  equally  interested  in  preserving  our  present  re 
publican  government  and  institutions,  in  their  utmost 
purity  ;  we  are  all  equally  interested  in  adopting  suit 
able  measures  of  defence,  land  arid  naval  ;  and  in  the 
proper  protection  and  encouragement  of  our  commerce  ; 
and  it  is  highly  gratifying  to  me,  to  witness,  in  the  whole 
extent  of  my  Tour,  that,  great  harmony  of  opinion  pre 
vails  on  all  these  important  occasions. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

The  town  of  PORTLAND  was  formerly  called  Falmoutli* 
It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  most  of  the  large  towns 
upon  the  seabord  of  New  England,  have  taken  their 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR. 

names  from  Old  England,  as  New-Tendon,  Newport, 
Boston,  Plymouth,  Portsmouth,  Falmouth,  4"C.  Portland 
is  situated  upon  a  peninsula  in  the  bay  of  Casco.  Its 
growth  has  been  rapid  ;  and  is,  at  present,  a  very  hand 
some  town.  The  buildings  are  of  modern  construction, 
and  show  the  improving  state  of  architecture  in  the 
country.  It  has  escaped  the  calamity  of  fire,  which 
has  so  often  visited  its  neighbouring  towns.  But  it  can 
not  be  forgotten,  that  the  burning  system  of  warfare,  in 
the  revolutionary  war,  reduced  it  to  ashes.  It  is  united 
to  the  adjacent  country  by  extensive  bridges  ;  is  well 
defended  ;  carries  on  an  active  trade,  and  shows  the 
difference  between  a  retrogading,  a  stationary,  and  a 
progressive  place.  It  was  the  easternmost  town  the 
President  visited,  although  he  expressed  his  regret  that 
he  could  not  prosecute  his  journey  to  Castine.  In  pas 
sing  thus  far  in  this  district,  the  President  must  have 
been  convinced  thai  a  spirit  of  industry  and  commerce, 
will  present  to  the  eye  of  the  traveller  many  evidences 
of  wealth  in  a  country  which  can  lay  but  little  claim 
TO  fertilit}',  when  compared  to  the  astonishingly  pro 
ductive  regions  of  the  south  and  the  west.  The  lum 
ber  trade  to  the  West  Indies,  and  to  many  of  the  ports 
in  the  Republic,  has  been  prosecuted  with  great  vig 
our  from  Portland.  Its  population  is  over  7000. 

The  reverend  clergy  of  this  place  and  its  vicinity, 
did  not  omit  to  tender  their  respect  to  the  President. 
They  did  not,  like  the  Romish  clergy,  in  addressing  the 
Pope,  or  the  Engligh  clergy  in  addressing  the  King, 
consider  him  as  the  temporal  head  of  the  church,  or  the 
vicegerent  of  Deity  upon  earth  ;  but  they  address 
ed  him  as  the  head  of  the  CIVIL  STATE,  which,  although 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR. 

it  acknowledges  no  political  union  with  the  church,  yet 
the  church,  in  the  exercise  of  all  its  privileges,  enjoys 
its  constant  protection. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  Ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  the 
different  denominations,  in  Portland  and  vicinity,  amid 
the  congratulations  of  their  fellow  citizens,  would  now, 
in  a  body,  tender  their  respectful  and  Christian  saluta 
tions  ;  opening  to  you  their  bosoms,  reverend  sir,  and 
imploring  on  you  the  Divine  presence,  guidance  and 
support,  as  the  father  of  a  great  and  happy  people  ; 
that  you  may  have,  in  continuance,  a  prosperous  jour 
ney,  by  the  will  of  God,  through  the  northern  and  wes 
tern  parts  of  these  United  States,  a  safe  return  to  the 
capital,  and  to  the  bosom  of  your  family  ;  that  the  morn 
ing  of  your  Presidency  being  a  morning  without  clouds, 
which  has  thrown  such  a  lustre  upon  our  public  affairs, 
and  occasioned  such  surprising  harmony  in  public  feel 
ings,  may  indeed  be  as  the  shining  light  which  shineth 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

And  when,  sir,  your  hands  are  heavy  under  the  weight 
of  a  Nation's  care,  be  assured  the  intercessions  of  our 
closets,  and  our  altars,  (animated  by  the  grateful  re 
membrance  ofyour  presence  amongst  us)  shall  be  always 
going  up  to  the  Mercy  seat  in  your  behalf;  through  your 
instrumentality,  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  may  be 
upon  us,  and  his  glory  appear  to  our  children.  And 
having  served  your  generation  according  to  the  will  of 
God  in  a  good  old  age,  and  full  of  days,  and  of  honours, 
may  you  be  gathered  unto  the  illustrious  fathers,  who 
rest  from  their  public  labours,  and  enter  with  them  into, 
heavenly  glory. 

The  President's  reply,  as  near  as  can  be  recollected. 
GENTLEMEN, 

Among  the  numerous  tokens  of  respect,  which 
have  been  shown  me  by  my  fellow  citizens  during  my 
present  Tour,  undertaken  to  advance  the  public  inter- 


216  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

est,  I  have  received  none  more  grateful  than  the  one  1 
now  receive  from  you,  the  ministers  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour.  Be  assured,  that  the  kind  sentiments  of  your 
affectionate  address,  especially  those  which  regard  my 
person,  are  warmly  reciprocated. 

A  proper  reverence  for  our  Maker,  and  indeed  reli 
gion  in  general,  leaving  all  men  however,  free  to  act 
agreeable  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences,  will 
ever  meet  my  approbation  and  support. 

I  am  sensible,  gentlemen,  that  1  cannot  do  justice  to 
your  address  in  this  summary  reply.  1  must  therefore 
conclude  by  repeating  to  you  the  assurance  of  my  great 
satisfaction  in  receiving  this  testimony  of  your  regard, 
and  by  requesting  you  to  accept  my  thanks  for  your 
respectful  and  Christian  salutations. 

The  President  left  Portland  upon  the  17th,  and  again 
entered  the  state  of  New-Hampshire. 

"  He  was  received  at  the  line  of  the  State,  by  the 
Committee,  conducted  by  the  Marshals  and  select  es 
cort,  when  the  following  address  was  made  him  by  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Durell. 
MR.  PRESIDENT, 

In  the  progress  of  your  national  visit  you  confer  an 
additional  honour  upon  New  Hampshire,  by  this  day 
re-entering  the  first  State  upon  the  records  of  our 
union. 

Your  fellow  citizens  of  the  vicinity  eagerly  seized 
the  occasion  for  again  paying  their  respects  to  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great  and  happy  nation. 

We  cheerfully  present  you,  sir,  the  tribute  of  our 
most  affectionate  regards,  andpary  you  to  accept  it,  as  the 
pledge  of  our  veneration  and  esteem,  both  for  yourself 
and  for  the  government  over  which  you  are  called  to 
preside. 

•'  The  President  was  then  escorted  by  the  principal 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  21? 

inhabitants  of  Dover,  a  part  of  Capt.  Lyman's  troop, 
from  Rochester  and  Milton,  under  the  command  of  CoL 
Edward  Sise,  and  a  great  cavalcade  of  citizens,  to  this 
town.  On  his  arrival,  he  received  a  national  salute 
from  the  artillery.  After  passing  a  few  moments  at 
Wyatt's  Inn,  the  President,  attended  by  his  suite,  pro 
ceeded  to  an  eminence  arranged  for  the  purpose,  near 
Col.  Cogswell's,  decorated  with  the  rural  simplicity  of 
evergreen  and  roses,  where  he  was  addressed  by  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Atkinson,  as  follows  : 

MR.  PRESIDENT, 

SIR — Forming  a  small  but  component  part  of  the  great 
nation  over  which  you  preside,  permit  us  in  behalf  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  ancient  town  of  Dover,  to  express 
the  lively  sensibility,  with  which  it  receives  within  its 
borders,  a  personage  so  distinguished,  in  obtaining  and 
perfecting  the  independence  of  our  common  country. 

Believe  us,  sir,  we  duly  appreciate  your  eminent  ser 
vices,  in  the  various,  high  and  honourable  departments, 
assigned  you  by  the  public  voice.  These  we  consider 
as  the  surest  pledges  of  love  of  country.  These  must 
receive  the  gratitude  of  the  nation  ;  your  best  reward  ; 
indeed,  Sir,  you  now  receive  it. 

As  to  ourselves,  we  enter  into  no  competition  with 
other  places,  in  external  demonstrations  of  respect  ; 
yet,  sir,  we  beg  leave  to  assure  you  that  the  interest 
we  take  in  your  happiness,  as  well  on  your  own  account, 
as  for  the  high  and  honourable  station  to  which  you 
have  been  called  by  the  voice  of  your  fellow  citizens, 
is  no  less  sincere  than  theirs. 

We  have  no  fortifications,  no  attractions,  for  your 
view.  Our  pursuits  are  principally  agricultural.  The 
little  commerce  which  we  had,  has  suffered  the  de 
pression  incident  to  that  on  the  Atlantic  shore.  We 
turn  in  part  to  domestic  manufactures. 

We  now  give  you,  sir,  'tis  all  we  can,  a  most  cordial 
T 


218  PRESIDENT'S    TOUR. 

welcome  to  this  part  cf  New  Hampshire.  A  similar 
pleasure  has  been  unknown  to  her  citizens,  except  in 
the  instance  of  one  of  your  illustrious  predecessors, 
whoie  arms  you  followed  in  youthful  life,  in  the  peril 
ous,  but  glorious  contest  for  the  freedom  of  your  coun 
try. 

We  humbly  implore  the  Great  Parent  of  the  Universe, 
with  whom  is  the  destiny  of  nations,  to  take  you  into 
His  holy  keeping  ;  that  under  your  auspices  and  fos 
tering  care,  this  great,  free  and  independent  nation 
may  increase  in  splendour,  and  its  government  be  ad 
ministered  for  the  best  interest  of  its  citizens  ;  that 
your  health  may  be  preserved  and  invigorated  by  your 
present  Tour,  and  that  you  may  have  a  happy  return 
to  the  bosom  of  your  friends  and  family.  We  wish 
you  long  life,  health,  and  a  prosperous  administration. 

"  To  this  address,  the  President  made  an  elegant, 
appropriate  and  particular  answer.  He  with  great 
modesty,  observed,  that  he  considered  this  attention  not 
paid  to  him  as  an  individual,  but  to  his  office  ;  that  he 
had  little  or  no  claim  for  the  services  that  he  had  been 
enabled  to  perform  towards  the  happiness  of  the  nation  ; 
that  the  depression  of  our  commerce  ought  to  be  borne 
with  fortitude,  and  must  have  been  expected  on  the  re 
turn  of  peace  ;  that  he  felt  himself  honoured  by  the  at 
tentions  paid  him  in  this  section  of  the  union,  and  uni 
ted  with  us  in  fervent  prayer  that  our  government  might 
be  administered  for  the  best  interest  of  the  nation. 

The  President  and  suite,  were  then  escorted  back 
to  Wyatt's  inn,  by  the  Committee,  with  whom  he  dined, 
and  soon  after,  he  gratified  a  great  concourse  of  attend 
ing  citizens  by  making  his  appearance  in  our  streets. 
He  passed  the  evening  and  night  with  the  Hon.  Mr.  Hale, 


^RESIDENT'S  TOUR,  2-19 

who  invited  many  respectable  citizens  and  ladies  to 
spend  the  evening,  and  they  were  introduced  to  the 
President,  and  were  highly  gratified  with  his  dignified 
affability." 

Much  regret  was  expressed  by  some,  and  many  ac 
rimonious  censures  were  bestowed  by  others,  that  the 
Executive  of  New  Hampshire  did  not  follow  the  exam 
ple  of  the  governour  of  Massachusetts  in  ordering  out 
an  escort  for  the  President  through  every  town  in  the 
state.  Governour  PLUMER  was  aware,  that  the  author 
ity  of  Governour  Brooks  upon  this  subject,  was  deriv 
ed  from  a  special  resolution  of  the  Massachusetts  legis 
lature.  He  could  not,  constitutionally,  call  out  the  mi 
litia,  nor  draw  forth  the  treasures  of  the  state,  to  give  an 
artificial  splendour  to  the  reception  of  the  man  he  so 
highly  esteemed  and  respected  ;  and  were  he  to  have 
expressed  a  wish  upon  the  subject,  no  doubt  but  he 
would  prefer  to  have  the  patriotic  people  over  whom 
he  presided,  manifest  their  admiration  of  their  beloved 
chief,  by  their  spontaneous  and  voluntary  civilities,  ra 
ther  than  by  the  formal  respect  enjoined  by  statute. 
"  Severe  indisposition"  inhibited  him  from  tendering 
his  personal  respects. 

The  following  isGov.  Plurner's  Letter  to  the  President. 
NEW-HAMPSHIRE  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT. 

EPPING,    JULY     18,    1817. 

DEAR  SIR — It  is  to  me  a  subject  of  much  regret, 
that  in  your  Tour  through  New-Hampshire,  I  have 
been  unable  to  pay  you  that  respectful  attention,  and 
those  personal  civilities,  which  I  consider  due  both 
to  your  private  character  and  official  station.  You 
were  verbally  informed,  while  at  Portsmouth,  of  my 


220  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

severe  indisposition  :  and  1  am  now  obliged  to  add,  that 
I  am  still  confined  to  my  chamber  and  bed,  by  an  at 
tack  of  the  typhus  fever,  which  has  not  yet,  I  fear, 
reached  its  crisis.  This  unfortunate  event  has  depriv 
ed  me  of  the  satisfaction  of  a  personal  interview  with 
you  ;  and  prevented  me  from  receiving  a  visit  at  this 
place,  with  which  I  had  flattered  myself  you  would 
have  honoured  me. 

A  military  escort  having  been  called  out  by  the  Go- 
rernours  of  some  of  the  states,  to  accompany  you 
through  those  parts  of  the  country,  I  was  desirous  that 
the  same  tribute  of  respect  should  be  paid  you  on  your 
passage  through  New-Hampshire.  The  power  to  call 
out  such  an  escort  seemed,  at  first  view,  incident  to 
the  nature  of  my  office  as  Commander  in  Chief  of  the 
militia  ;  yet  so  accurately  is  this  command  defined,  and 
so  cautiously  restricted,  by  the  prudence,  or  the  jeal 
ousy  of  our  State  constitution,  that  I  have  authority  at 
no  time  to  order  out  the  militia,  except  for  certain 
known  objects  particularly  designated  in  the  constitu 
tion,  and  by  the  laws  enacted  under  it.  I  have  thought 
proper  to  make  this  statement,  both  in  justice  to  my 
self,  and  to  the  state  over  which  I  preside  ;  a  state 
which  yields  to  none  in  the  union,  either  in  attachment 
to  the  general  government,  or  in  respect  to  the  distin 
guished  individual,  who  with  its  full  consent  and  appro 
bation,  has  been  raised  to  the  first  office  in  the  gift  of 
the  nation. 

This  letter  will  be  delivered  to  you,  by  the  Secreta 
ry  of  State.  Had  my  health  permitted,  I  should  have 
taken  great  pleasure  in  waiting  upon  you  in  person, 
during  the  time  you  remained  in  this  State,  and  in  sug 
gesting  some  objects  of  inquiry,  which  might  perhaps 
have  merited  your  attention  in  this  part  of  our  common 
country.  But  in  my  present  condition,  I  can  only  add 
my  sincere  congratulations,  and  my  best  wishes  for  the 
success  of  your  administration,  which  has  commenced 
under  circumstances  peculiarly  favourable  to  yourself, 
and  our  beloved  country. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  highest  personal 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  221 

respect  and  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  hum 
ble  servant. 

WILLIAM  PLUMER. 

JAMES  MONROE,  President  of  the 

United  States.,  now  at  Concord,  N.  H. 

The  President  left  Dover  upon  the  18th,  and  passed 
through  a  country  thronged  with  a  population  delighted 
at  beholding  a  statesman,  whose  character  they  vene 
rated,  and  under  wrhose  administration  they  feel  the 
strongest  assurances  that  they  shall  realize  the  fondest 
anticipations  of  happiness  resulting  from  a  correct  ad 
ministration  of  our  excellent  government.  With  his 
suite,  the  President  arrived  at  Concord  upon  the  18th. 

I  exceedingly  regret  that  I  could  not  obtain  the  ad 
dress  of  the  citizens  of  Concord,  to  the  President,  and 
his  answer  to  the  same,  that  they  might  have  been  in 
serted  in  this  work.  But  it  may  be  remarked  that  the 
people  of  this  place,  and  its  immediate  vicinity,  gave  the 
President  a  sincere  and  cordial  welcome.  The  civil 
and  military  authorities  were  active  upon  the  occasion. 
They  vied  with  each  other  in  demonstrations  of  respect 
to  the  man  they  all  admired.  The  President,  having 
seen  life  in  all  the  splendour  with  which  it  is  adorned 
in  European  courts,  and  in  all  the  unaffected  dignity 
with  which  it  is  surrounded  in  the  American  Republic, 
knew  well  how  to  appreciate  the  convincing  evidence 
of  sincere  respect  which  he  here  witnessed. 

Since  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  this  work, 
I  have  obtained  the  brief  and  handsome  address  of  the 
citizens  of  Concord,  which  follows. 


PRESIDENT'S 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — Permit  us,  as  the  organ  of  the  citizens  of  Con 
cord,  to  express  the  high  satisfaction  we  feel,  in  be 
holding  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  our  vil 
lage,  and  in  having  an  opportunity  to  present  you  our 
most  respectful  acknowledgments  for  the  distinguished 
honour. 

All  hearts,  Sir,  bid  you  welcome.  We  deem  it  a  pe 
culiarly  happy  circumstance,  that  in  discharging  the 
important  duty,  of  examining  the  works  of  defence,  on 
our  exterior  lines,  you  witness  universal  eagerness  and 
cordiality,  in  the  salutations  you  receive  in  every 
place  you  visit.  Upon  this  auspicious  occasion,  party 
feelings  are  buried — and  buried,  we  would  hope,  for 
ever.  A  new  era,  we  trust,  is  commencing.  The 
leading  measures  of  the  general  government,  accord 
remarkably  with  the  views  and  principles  of  all  parties  ; 
and  your  private  as  well  as  public  character,  furnish  us 
a  pledge  that  you  will  endeavour  to  make  your  adminis 
tration  a  blessing  to  our  country.  And  we  pray  God  to 
grant  you  success,  and  have  you  under  his  holy  keeping. 

Accept,  Sir,  our  best  wishes,  that  your  present  Tour 
may  be  eminently  useful  to  the  nation,  both  in  afford 
ing  them  security  against  their  enemies,  and  union 
among  themselves.  * 

THOMAS  W.  THOMPSON, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee. 

July  18th,  1817. 

The  President  returned  an  extemporaneous  answer, 
with  his  usual  facility  and  dignity.  At  dinner,  his  toast 
was  announced  : — 

The  town  of  Concord — May  its  inhabitants  continue 
to  flourish  and  prosper. 

Gen.  Swift,  who  had  constantly  attended  the  Presi 
dent  from  Baltimore  to  Portland,  there  took  his  leave 
of  him,  and  the  gallant  Gen.  MILLER,  the  hero  of  New 
Hampshire,  filled  his  place  in  the  President's  suite. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

The  little  town  of  Concord  is  not  destitute  of  attrac 
tions.  It  is  situated  upon  the  river  Merrimack,  fifty 
miles  above  Portsmouth.  The  Legislature  of  "  the 
first  State  upon  the  records  of  the  Union"  have  here  ex 
ercised  the  important  functions  of  legislating  for  a 
State,  which,  in  relation  to  most  of  the  objects  of  go 
vernment,  like  that  of  her  sister  States,  is  "  sovereign 
and  independent."  This  town  is  handsomely  built,  and 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  it,  evinces  the  perseverance, 
the  wealth,  and  the  taste  of  its  inhabitants.  In  a  cold, 
but  healthy  climate,  its  hardy  sons,  blessed  with  a  free 
government,  exclusive  owners  of  the  soil  they  culti 
vate,  have  given  to  the  face  of  the  earth,  an  appear 
ance  of  fertility,  equal  to  the  most  productive  regions. 
The  town  of  Concord  contains  2400  inhabitants,  and  the 
necessary  public  buildings  for  enacting  laws,  and  admi 
nistering  justice. 

The  following  animated  description  of  his  passage 
from  Concord  to  Hanover,  and  his  reception  there,  is 
from  a  public  print. 

"  The  President  and  his  suite,  composed  of  Mr.  Ma 
son,  his  private  secretary,  Consul  Ware,  and  Col.  Sul 
livan,  of  Boston,  left  Concord  early  on  the  21st,  tra 
velled  with  great  rapidity,  and  arrived  at  Lebanon  at  4 
o'clock,  P.  M.  where  he  was  met  by  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements  for  Hanover,  and  the  adjacent  towns  ; 
when  Mr.  Olcott,  Chairman,  addressed  the  President 
in  a  style  courteous  and  eloquent ;  bidding  him  a  hearty 
welcome,  and  informing  him  of  the  preparations  which 
had  been  made  for  receiving  him.  At  Lebanon  Vil 
lage,  he  left  his  carriage,  and  passed  on  horseback 


224  PRESIDENT'S  TOUH. 

through  a  vast  body  of  citizens,  who  had  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  their  respects  to  the  Chief  Magis 
trate  of  the  nation.  At  the  same  village  he  was  met  by 
a  numerous  cavalcade,  consisting  of  Captains  Hogedon 
and  Page's  companies  of  Cavalry,  under  Major  Lang, 
all  the  officers  of  the  23d  regiment,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Perkins,  and  a  great  number  of  private  citizens,  all 
under  the  direction  of  Col.  Poole,  Chief  Marshal. 

At  six  o'clock  his  approach  to  the  village  of  Dart 
mouth  was  announced  by  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  oth 
er  demonstrations  of  joy.  Although  the  road  was 
shrouded  in  clouds  of  dust,  he  condescended  to  leave 
his  carriage,  and  make  his  entry  on  horseback  for  the 
sake  of  gratifying  an  immense  crowd  of  spectators,  who 
lined  the  streets,  and  thronged  the  yards  and  windows 
of  the  houses.  He  was  received  by  a  company  of 
Light  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Converse,  and  saluted  by 
Capt.  Carpenter's  company  of  Artillery. 

Near  the  meeting-house  he  dismounted,  and  passed 
through  a  line  extending  quite  across  the  College  Green, 
composed  of  the  officers  and  Students  of  the  Literary 
Institution,  Rev.  Clergy,  private  citizens,  among  whom 
were  several  strangers  of  distinction,  and  a  beautiful 
group  of  young  misses  and  masters,  fancifully  ornamen 
ted  with  garlands  of  evergreen  and  roses. 

The  Dartmouth  Hotel  was  elegantly  decorated  and 
fitted  up  for  the  reception  of  its  illustrious  visitor. 

After  an  introduction  to  a  number  of  gentlemen,  and 
the  usual  salutations,  the  President  made  his  appear 
ance  on  the  piazza,  in  front  of  the  Hotel,  where  the  fol 
lowing  address  was  read  to  him  by  Col.  Bre  water,  of  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements." 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  225 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES. 

Sm — In  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Hanover,  and  the  ad 
jacent  towns,  we  beg  leave  respectfully  to  tender  to  you 
our  sincere  congratulations  on  your  safe  arrival  at  this 
place. 

Averse  as  we  are  in  our  feelings  and  habits  from  any 
parade,  inconsistent  with  the  simplicity  of  our  republi 
can  institutions,  we  are  happy  that  the  Tour  of  your 
Excellency,  undertaken  for  the  promotion  of  objects  of 
great  national  importance, affordsus  an  opportunity  of  bid 
ding  you  a  cordial  welcome  to  the  banks  of  the  Connect 
icut,  and  the  verge  of  the  Green  Mountains — the  seat 
of  one  of  those  Literary  Institutions  by  which  our  coun 
try  is  highly  benefitted,  and  honourably  distinguished. 
A  seminary  which  a  few  years  since  was  planted  in  a 
wilderness,  can  exhibit  to  you  no  venerable  antiquities, 
no  proud  monuments  of  the  arts,  yet  it  cannot  fail  to  be 
regarded  by  you  with  interest,  on  account  of  its  relations 
to  the  principles  and  permanence  of  our  government, 

We  are  happy  to  offer  personally,  that  respect  which 
is  due  to  your  elevated  station,  your  eminent  public 
services  and  private  virtues.  It  contributes,  in  no 
small  degree,  to  the  pleasure  we  enjoy  on  this  occasion, 
that  we  meet  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States  in 
the  style  of  a  private  citizen,  distinguished  from  the  rest 
of  the  community,  by  none  of  the  ordinary  badges  of 
authority,  and  depending  on  no  safeguards,  but  the  good 
wishes  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

We  deem  it  singularly  fortunate,  that  we  see  amongst 
us,  for  the  first  time,  a  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation, 
under  circumstances  peculiarly  calculated  to  inspire 
feelings  of  satisfaction  and  joy.  A  new  and  auspicious 
era  seems  to  have  commenced  in  our  country.  At  the 
close  of  a  war,  in  which  our  prowess  in  arms  shed  new 
lustre  on  the  American  republic  ;  a  spirit  of  peace  and 
harmony  prevails  among  us.  A  national  feeling  is  ex 
cited,  which  must  be  productive  of  the  happiest  conse 
quences.  The  unexampled  progress  of  our  country, 
within  the  last  thirty  years,  in  population  and  refine 
ment  ;  the  improvements  in  agriculture  and  manufac- 


?  PRESIDENTS  TOXJR. 

tures  ;  the  happiness  enjoyed  by  the  people  of  the 
United  States  under  the  benign  influence  of  the  Fed 
eral  constitution  ;  all  contribute  to  strengthen  the  ties 
of  union,  and  give  stability  to  our  excellent  political  in 
stitutions. 

We  sincerely  congratulate  you,  Sir,  that  your  elec 
tion  to  the  first  office  in  the  gift  of  your  fellow  citizens 
has  occurred  at  a  period  so  auspicious  and  interesting  ; 
under  circumstances  which  not  only  evince  the  high 
:*ense  which  is  entertained  of  your  patriotism,  zeal  and 
fidelity,  but  furnish  a  sure  guarantee  of  the  impartiality 
and  wisdom  of  your  administration. 

That  the  blessings  of  Heaven  may  attend  you  through 
life  ;  that  you  may  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  our  be 
loved  country  prosperous  and  happy  under  your  aus 
pices  ;  and  when  you  shall  retire  from  the  cares  of 
public  life,  that  you  may  be  followed  into  retirement 
by  the  esteem  and  affection  of  a  virtuous  and  grateful 
people,  is  the  ardent  wish  of  those  in  whose  behalf  we 
have  the  honour  of  addressing  you. 

REPLY. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS — Your  congratulations  are  the 
more  acceptable,  because  they  are  the  heart-felt  ex 
pressions  of  your  attachment  to  our  inestimable  form  of 
government. 

I  have  not  the  pretension,  to  arrogate  to  myself,  the 
emotion  of  the  sentiment  my  presence  awakens.  It  re- 
cals  to  you  your  form  of  government,  and  the  exalted 
civil  and  religious  principles  you  so  eminently  en 
joy.  The  contemplation  of  these,  and  the  security 
you  feel  in  the  continuance  of  such  rich  possessions 
fills  you  with  gratitude. 

The  recollections  of  the  trials  of  our  country,  and 
the  honourable  rank  to  which  these  have  raised  her, 
inspires  a  laudable  pride  in  your  nation's  honour,  and 
it  is  to  give  utterance  to  these  sentiments  and  the  emo 
tions  they  excite,  that  such  public  demonstrations  of 
respect  are  rendered  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the 
country.  I  participate  in  the  sentiment ;  I  sympathise 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  227 

with  you  in  these  emotions  ;  I  cannot,  therefore,  but 
take  a  deep  interest  in  the  literary  seminary  of  this 
place  ;  for  such  institutions  will  long  supply  successive 
generations  of  wise  and  virtuous  men,  who  will  know 
how  to  estimate  and  preserve  the  blessings  of  civil  lib 
erty,  that  their  fathers  shall  bequeath  to  them. 

It  is  an  epoch  like  the  present,  when  an  honourable 
peace  leaves  •no  question  to  agitate  the  public,  that 
through  institutions  like  yours,  the  expanded  benevo 
lence,  and  high  sense  of  national  honour,  which  are  es 
sential  to  public  virtue,  should  be  every  where  diffused 
as  a  means  of  union.  These  cannot  fail  to  produce 
that  national  feeling,  from  which  you  anticipate  such 
happy  results. 

I  cannot  but  acknowledge  your  expressions  of  per 
sonal  regard  and  respect.  That  the  blessings  you  in 
voke  on  me,  may  abundantly  descend  on  yourselves  and 
your  children  for  many  generations,  is  truly  my  sincere 
and  ardent  wish. 

JAMES  MONROE. 


Upon  reaching  Hanover,  the  President  was  again 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut  river.  A  few  weeks 
previous,  he  had  explored  the  country  upon  both  shores 
"of  it  from  Middletown,  in  Connecticut,  to  Springfield,  in 
Massachusetts.  He  was  there  delighted  with  its  beau 
ty,  gratified  at  beholding  large  and  flourishing  towns 
upon  its  banks >  and  a  country  in  the  highest  state  of 
cultivation.  He  was  here  two  hundred  miles  from  its 
mouth,  and  saw  but  little  diminution  in  its  size,  and  but 
little  inferiority  in  point  of  fertility,  In  viewing  this 
stream,  he  might  well  have  exclaipaed  in  the  finished, 
poetic  language  of  BARLOW. 

"  Nor  drinks  the  sea  a  lovlier  wave  than  thine." 

Although  Hanover  would  always  be  admired  for  the 
natural  beauty  of  its  situation,  and  the  taste  there  dis- 


228  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

played  ;  yet  it  derives  its  principal  consequence  from 
the  University  there  established. 

The  birth  of  poets,  statesmen,  and  warriors,  imparts 
a  consequence  to  the  place  of  their  nativity.  Mantua 
and  Firgil — Geneva  and  Rosseau — Stratford  and  Shake 
speare,  are  always  associated.  An  equal,  and  perhaps 
a  superior  consequence  is  imparted  to  places  from  the 
establishment  of  Literary  Institutions.  Cambridge, 
Oxford,  Edinburgh,  Leyden,  &c.  in  Europe-Cambridge, 
New-Haven,  Princeton,  Hanover,  &c.  in  America, 
cannot  be  mentioned  without  an  instant  recollection 
that  science  and  literature  have  been  acquired  in  their 
Academic  bowers. 

The  citizens  of  Hanover  modestly  confessed  to  the 
President  that  "  a  seminary  which  a  few  years  since  was 
planted  in  a  wilderness,  can  exhibit  to  you  no  venerable 
antiquities  ;  no  proud  monuments  of  the  arts."  This  in 
teresting  university  owes  its  origin  to  the  almost  ro 
mantic  philanthropy  of  Doct.  WHEELOCK,  its  first  Pres 
ident.  "  Moore's  Charity  School"  was  commenced  by 
him  in  Connecticut  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the  ab 
origines  of  America,  science  and  Christianity.  The 
attempt  was  noble  ;  its  success  was  trifling.  The 
school  was  removed  to  the  wilds  of  Hanover.  Her 
forests,  which  had  before  excluded  the  rays  of  the  sun, 
were,  by  the  labours  of  art,  and  the  sun  of  science, 
converted  into  a  fertile  plain.  The  munificence  of 
Lord  DARTMOUTH,  and  the  unyielding  perseverance  of 
President  WHEELOCK,  soon  graced  the  plain  with  '  Dart 
mouth  University.'  It  would  be  unpardonable  when 
speaking  of  this  university,  to  pass  in  silence  over  the 
Medical  School  attached  to  it.  The  theoretical  sci- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  229 

ence  and  extensive  practice  of  NATHAN  SMITH,  M.  D. 
has  given  to  it  a.conseqiwsnce  which  nothing  but  talents 
like  his  can  impart  to  a  medical  establishment.  He 
brought  into  it  the  acquirements  of  a  scholar,  whose 
mind  was  enriched  by  the  scientific  instruction  of  the 
medical  faculty  of  America  and  Europe.  His  numer 
ous  pupils,  in  different  parts  of  our  country,  are  adminis 
tering  that  relief  for  the  calamities  incident  to  man,  which 
correct  science,  and  scientific  practice  only  can  afford. 
This  school,  this  instructor,  and  these  pupils,  will  long 
be  remembered  by  the  once  afflicted,  and  now  restored 
sons  of  pain  and  sorrow. 

The  reception  of  the  President  here,  to  say  the  least, 
was  handsome.  The  citizens  gave  him  the  welcome, 
which,  was  the  effect  of  sincere  respect.  He  recipro 
cated  it  in  a  manner*  which  shews  that  he  knew  ho\V  to 
appreciate  the  cordiality  of  the  heart. 

Amidst  the  congratulations  of  a  multitude,  and  the 
courteous  civility  of  the  refined,  the  President  could 
not  forget  to  pay  his  respects  to  Mrs.  WHEELOCK,  the 
wife  of  the  first  President  of  the  University  here.  This 
venerable  matron  resided  at  Trenton,  N.  Jersey,  when 
he  received  his  wounds  there.  With  the  affecting 
sensibility  of  female  benevolence,  she  watched  over  the 
couch  of  the  wounded  MONROE;  administered  the  re 
lief  she  could  afford  to  a  then  gallant  youth,  who  all 
but  died  in  the  cause  of  his  injured  country.  Her  gal 
lant  grandson,  Gen.  ELEAZER  WHEELOCK  RIPLEY,  es 
caped  by  miracle  from  death  in  the  same  cause  in  the 
last  war,  at  Bridgewater.  She  has  lived  to  see  two 
wars  gloriously  terminated,  in  both  of  which  the  inde 
pendence  of  her  native  country  was  defended,  support- 
U 


230  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

cd,  and  established  by  the  battle  array  of  republican 
soldiers  in  the  tented  field.  It  is  on  occasions  like  this, 
that  the  heart  melts  into  tenderness,  and  forgets  the 
evanescent  splendour  which  is  attached  to  exalted  rank. 
The  President,  amidst  his  public  avocations,  "  though 
he  thought  as  a  sage,  he  felt  like  a  man."  Through  his 
whole  Tour,  he  sought  after  his  revolutionary  compat 
riots.  Historical  recollection,  and  personal  experience, 
enabled  him,  in  retrospect,  to  review  the  scenes  through 
which  his  countrymen  had  passed  for  nearly  half  a  cen 
tury.  He  saw  many  a  wounded  patriot  surrounded  by 
an  happy  progeny,  enjoying  the  blessings  acquired  by 
the  toil  and  courage  of  their  ancestors. 

Amidst  the  regulated  forms,  and  the  fashionable  style 
of  modern  etiquette,  the  President  was  received  by 
one  of  the  Shaking  Quakers,  at  Ehfield,  N.  H.  in  a 
style  of  plain  hospitality,  which  comes  directly  home  to 
"  metis  business  and  bosoms."  The  Elder,  in  all  the 
majesty  of  conscious  integrity,  approached  the  Presj- 
dent,  and  said,  "  I,  James  Goodrich,  welcome  JAMES 
MONROE  to  our  habitation."  This  must  have  been  the 
language  of  the  heart,  which  can  neither  be  ornament 
ed  by  the  flourishes  of  rhetoric,  nor  degraded  by  the 
sneers  of  formality. 

Upon  the  23d,  the  President  crossed  the  Connecti 
cut,  and  arrived  at  Norwich,  in  VERMONT.  This  State, 
for  some  years,  was  the  youngest  sister  in  the  American 
family.  Its  name,  Ver  Mons9  is  a  description  of  its 
surface.  The  Green  Mountain  makes  a  natural  divi 
sion  of  the  State  into  the  Eastern  and  Western  sections 
of  it.  The  streams  originating  in  this  beautiful  range 
of  hills,  flow  eastward  toward  the  Connecticut,  and 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  231 

westward  toward  the  Hudson.  The  remark  may  not  be 
inapposite,  that  the  inhabitants  of  a  hill  country  have 
an  elevation  of  sentiment,  and  an  ardour  of  feeling,  not 
common  with  the  people  of  the  plains.  The  Highland 
ers  of  Scotland,  the  Tyrolese,  and  the  Swiss,  have 
achieved  deeds  of  glory,  which,  for  centuries,  had  se 
cured  the  admiration  of  the  world.  The  "  Green 
Mountain  Boys"  of  Vermont,  in  the  most  desperate 
struggle  that  ever  engaged  men  in  the  great  cause  of 
emancipation  from  despotic  power,  were  amongst  the 
first  to  "  breast  the  shock"  in  the  revolutionary  con 
test. 

"  The  President  passed  through  Norwich  to  the 
Copperas  works  in  Stafford  ;  viewed  them  ;  and  on 
his  leaving  the  copperas  mine,  he  was  conducted  through 
Stafford  hollow,  where  he  was  met  by  a  considerable 
number  of  the  citizens  ;  received  and  returned  their 
compliments.  From  thence  he  was  escorted  back  to 
Norwich,  and  alighted  at  Curtis's  Hotel,  where  he  was 
met  by  a  number  of  citizens,  and  presented  with  the 
following  Address  :" 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — A  few  citizens  of  Vermont,  upon  your  first  en 
trance  on  the  borders  of  the  State,  present  you  a  united 
and  hearty  welcome. 

With  the  liveliest  emotions  of  duty  we  meet,  for  the 
first  time,  a  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  union  within  our 
territory.  An  emulation  to  pay  respectful  attention  to 
the  ruler  of  our  nation,  appointed  by  our  own  choice, 
under  a  constitution  so  eminently  calculated  for  individ 
ual  security,  for  individual  interests,  and  national  hap 
piness  ;  a  spontaneous  burst  of  joy  among  all  classes  of 
our  citizens,  at  the  visit  of  the  President  of  these  United 


States,  are  the  best  pledges  a  free  people  can  present 
to  a  Chief  Magistrate,  of  their  contentment  with  the 
laws,  and  the  operation  of  them  in  the  government  un 
der  that  constitution,  and  their  confidence  in  the  admin 
istration. 

This  emulation,  joy,  and  confidence  we  tender  you, 
Sir  ;  and  in  Vermont,  it  is  believed,  you  will  find  every 
where  these  sentiments  ;  as  you  have  before  this,  on 
your  present  Tour,  experienced  them  in  other  sec 
tions  of  the  union. 

These  testimonials  we  present  you,  sir,  in  behalf  of 
our  fellow  citizens. 

To  which  the  President  was  pleased  to  return  a  ver 
bal  answer,  expressive  of  his  satisfaction  in  meeting  his 
fellow  citizens." 

The  President  and  suite,  with  a  number  of  other  gen 
tlemen,  then  partook  of  a  dinner,  prepared  by  Mr. 
Curtis,  in  a  handsome  style.  After  dinner,  the  Presi 
dent  was  introduced  to  a  circle  of  ladies,  collected  while 
the  company  were  dining,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing 
him  :  he  was  also  introduced  to  a  large  number  of  chil 
dren  of  the  neighbourhood.  The  company,  men,  wo 
men,  and  children,  were  highly  gratified  at  the  sight 
and  introduction  of  the  President.  He  staid  in  the 
place  about  two  hours,  and  then  bid  the  company  an  af 
fectionate  farewell,  and  left  Norwich  for  Windsor.  He 
was  escorted  on  his  way  by  a  considerable  number  of 
patriotic  citizens  as  far  as  Lyman's  Bridge,  on  which 
he  crossed  into  Lebanon,  New-Hampshire." 

It  would  be  a  "  delightful  task"  to  describe  the 
charming  country  upon  both  banks  of  the  Connecticut, 
from  Hanover  to  Windsor  ;  but  prescribed  limits  for- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  233 

bids  the  gratification  of  my  wishes.  The  President, 
although  born  in  the  fertile  regions  of  the  South,  could , 
not  suppress  his  admiration  at  the  flourishing  and  pro 
ductive  state  of  the  country  upon  this  river.  Numer 
ous  and  elegant  bridges  unite  two  states  together,  bor 
dering  upon  the  banks  of  it,  and  facilitate  communication 
between  the  citizens  of  them.  There  was  a  cordial  fa 
miliarity  in  the  reception  the  people  gave  the  Presi 
dent,  which  shew  that,  although  he  was  their  admired 
Chief  Magistrate,  they  knew  also  that  he  derived  his 
power  from  them. 

His  reception  at  Windsor,  evidenced  the  animation 
of  the  people  in  beholding  a  Chief,  who  fought  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  whose  measures,  in  the  public 
departments  of  the  nation,  so  essentially  contributed  to 
the  defence  of  Vermont  in  the  last  war. 

"  The  arrival  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  and 
suite,  in  this  town,  was  announced  by  a  national  salute 
from  the  artillery,  and  the  ringing  of  bells.  He  was 
received  at  the  bridge,  by  the  Committee  of  Arrange 
ments,  and  escorted,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Tho 
mas,  as  Marshal  of  the  day,  by  the  Jefferson  Artillery, 
commanded  by  Captain  Cochrane,  through  a  long  line 
of  citizens  assembled  to  welcome  his  arrival,  to  Pettes' 
Coffee  House,  where  an  address  was  delivered  by  Mr. 
Dunham,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee,  to  which  he  made 
an  eloquent  and  impressive  reply.  He  was  then  con 
ducted  to  his  apartment,  where  he  received  the  congra 
tulations  of  the  citizens." 


£34  PRESIDENT'S  TOUPI. 

To  the  President  of  the  United  States,  at  Windsor,  Ver 
mont. 

"  SIR — It  is  with  equal  pleasure  and  pride  that  the 
citizens  of  Windsor,  so  remote  from  the  seat  of  govern 
ment,  embrace  this  opportunity  of  tendering  to  you  in 
person,  the  homage  of  their  profound  respect ;  a  hom 
age  not  the  less  becoming  the  occasion,  since  it  is  the 
best  tribute  which  freemen  can  offer,  and  which  the 
President  of  the  United  States  alone,  of  all  the  world, 
from  a  free  people  can  receive. 

The  state  of  Vermont,  sir,  after  having  alone,  and 
successively  borne  a  signal  share  in  the  heat  and  bur 
den  of  our  revolutionary  labours,  was  the  first  to  appre 
ciate  the  importance  of  our  federal  compact,  and  to  so 
licit  admission  into  the  national  union.  Under  that 
compact,  Sir,  in  the  sanctuary  of  that  union  we  are  free 
— we  are  protected — we  are  flourishing  and  happy.  Our 
mountains  echo  with  the  cheerful  voice  of  industry  and 
security  ;  our  vallies  smile  with  abundance  and  peace. 
These  blessings  are  dear  to  our  hearts.  We  habitually 
cherish  them  as  inseparable  from  our  existence.  In 
their  defence,  Sir,  we  have  bled  ;  and  we  are  still  rea 
dy,  should  our  country  call,  to  bleed  again. 

In  this  Tour,  undertaken  through  a  remote  section 
of  the  union,  for  the  additional  security  of  our  growing 
republic,  you  have  an  opportunity  to  become  intimate 
ly  acquainted  with  our  local  feelings — our  local  inter 
ests — our  republican  spirit — but  above  all,  our  unshak 
en  attachment  to  our  national  government,  and  our  na 
tional  institutions. 

We  feel  ourselves  flattered  by  this  first  visit  from  the 
chief  magistrate  of  our  nation,  and  in  beholding  your 
face,  we  behold  a  new  pledge  for  the  continuance  of 
our  invaluable  blessings. 

Placed,  Sir,  as  you  have  fortunately  been,  in  the  ex 
ecutive  chair,  by  the  almost  unanimous  voice  of  our 
country,  at  an  auspicious  moment,  when  peace  is  again 
restored  ;  when  the  loud  din  of  party  collision  is  dying 
away,  and  when  a  general  tranquillity  seems  pervading 
the  world,  we  offer  you  our  felicitations  on  the  pleas- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  23: > 

ing  event.  And  while  we  rejoice  in  your  opportunity, 
we  rely  on  yo"ur  wisdom,  to  co-operate  with  our  en 
lightened  patriots  and  legislators,  in  strengthening  our 
republican  institutions,  and,  under  the  guidance  of  hea 
ven,  to  lix,  on  a  durable  basis,  the  happy  destinies  of  a 
great  and  rising  nation. 

From  our  unqualified  respect  of  your  personal  cha 
racter,  as  well  as  from  the  pledge  to  be  found  in  a  long 
life  devoted  to  the  public  good,  we  have  a  right  to  anti 
cipate  the  most  pleasing  results.  In  copying  the  illus 
trious  examples  of  the  great  founders  of  our  republic, 
you  cannot  fail  to  advance  the  best  interests,  and  the 
true  glory  of  our  common  country,  and  thus  to  erect  in 
the  hearts  of  your  countrymen,  an  imperishable  monu 
ment  to  your  own  fame.  With  such  feelings,  and  with 
such  views,  in  the  name  and  in  behalf  of  the  citizens 
of  Windsor,  we  bid  you  a  cordial  welcome  to  this  vil 
lage,  and  to  the  state  of  Vermont. 

The  President' 's  Answer. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS — I  have  approached  the  state  of 
Vermont,  with  peculiar  sensibility.  On  a  former  visit, 
immediately  after  the  war,  I  left  it  a  wilderness,  and  I 
now  find  it  blooming  with  luxuriant  promise  of  wealth 
and  happiness,  to  a  numerous  population.  A  brave  and 
free  people  will  never  abandon  the  defence  of  their 
country.  The  patriotism  of  Vermont,  has  been  relied 
on  in  times  of  peril  ;  and  the  just  expectation  of  their 
virtue  was  honourably  sustained.  I  shall  ever  rely  on 
their  wisdom  in  the  councils  of  the  nation,  as  on  their 
courage  in  the  field. 

The  confidence  now  universally  felt  in  the  stability 
and  efficiency  of  our  government,  is  the  surest  pledge, 
that  all  judicious  measures,  adopted  for  the  common 
good  of  the  nation,  will  receive  the  cordial  support  of 
all  honest  and  honourable  men. 

I  rejoice  with  you,  that  a  just  sense  of  the  national 
interests,  and  more  generous  feelings  pervade  the 
country.  It  is  by  cherishing  these,  with  a  liberal  re 
ference  to  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  the  whole 
union,  that  the  high  destiny  of  our  nation  can  be  at 
tained. 


~ob  PRESIDENTS    TOUR. 

The  true  principles  of  our  policy  are  now  well  un 
derstood.  The  people  have  only  to  maintain  them  with 
vigour  and  economy,  and  all  the  great  objects  of  na 
tional  concern,  under  a  benign  Providence,  will  be  se 
cured  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

Admiration  from  the  Female  world  is  one  of  the  most 
delightful  rewards  of  valour.  From  the  romantic  ages 
of  chivalry  to  this  time,  the  approving  smiles  of  the  Fail- 
has  "  smoothed  the  wrinkled  front'1''  of  the  veteran,  and 
made  him  glory  in  the  scars  received  in  defending  them. 
The  young  ladies  of  Windsor,  were  determined  that 
their  "  Patron  and  Friend"  should  not  leave  their  de 
lightful  village  without  some  manifestation  of  their  res 
pect.  They  addressed  the  President  in  the  following 
elegant  manner. 

SIR — Impressed  with  a  high  sense  of  the  honour 
which  the  inhabitants  of  this  village  receive  in  being 
permitted  to  welcome  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Un 
ion,  we  beg  leave,  in  behalf  of  the  young  Ladies  of  the 
Windsor  Female  Academy,  to  present  you  our  humble 
tribute  of  respect  ;  which,  although  from  the  juvenile 
female  pen,  will  not,  we  trust,  be  unacceptable,  or 
deemed  entirely  beneath  your  notice.  While  we  re 
gard  the  President  of  the  nation  as  the  protector  of  our 
country,  the  preserver  of  our  rights,  and  dearest  privi 
leges,  and  the  guardian  of  our  literary  institutions,  our 
hearts  glow  with  feelings  of  gratitude,  and  we  delight 
to  address  him  by  the  endearing  appellation  of  Patron 
and  Friend.  Permit  us,  Sir,  respectfully  to  congratu 
late  you  on  your  safe  arrival  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  on 
the  present  happy  and  prosperous  situation  of  the  coun 
try  over  which  you  are  called  to  preside  ;  that  the 
Olive  of  peace  is  now  waving  where  the  Clarion  of  war 
was  heard  ;  and  that  your  entrance  upon  public  duties, 
both  arduous  and  important,  is  at  a  time  when,  from  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  237 

general  peace  and  tranquillity  that  reign,  you  can  have 
leisure  to  promote  the  happiness  and  literary  attain 
ments  of  the  rising 'generation.  We  feel  happy,  that 
the  visit,  by  which  our  northern  states  have  been  so 
highly  honoured,  has  been  undertaken  at  a  time,  when 
every  thing  must  have  combined  to  render  it  pleasant 
to  yourself,  as  well  as  to  the  people  ;  and  we  believe, 
that  their  reception  of  you  has  been,  and  will  continue 
to  be  such,  as  is  consonant  to  their  views  of  respect  for 
your  private  character,  and  the  elevated  station  you 
have  the  honour,  with  so  much  dignity  to  fill,  as  the 
President  of  the  United  States.  That  you  may  long 
live  in  the  affections  of  a  free  and  enlightened  people, 
and  that  success  may  crown  all  your  exertions  for  the 
public  good,  is  the  ardent  wish  of  many  a  patriotic,  al 
though  youthful  female  bosom. 

ANSWER. 
YOUNG  LADIES, 

I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that  no  attention  which  I 
have  received  in  the  course  of  my  route,  has  afforded 
me  greater  satisfaction,  than  that  with  which  I  have 
been  honoured  by  the  Young  Ladies  of  the  Female 
Academy  at  Windsor.  I  take  a  deep  interest  as  a  par 
ent  and  citizen,  in  the  success  of  female  education,  and 
have  been  delighted,  wherever  I  have  been,  to  witness 
the  attention  paid  to  it.  That  you  may  be  distinguished 
for  your  graceful  and  useful  acquirements,  and  for  ev 
er  amiable  virtue,  is  the  object  of  my  sincere  desire. 
Accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  happiness. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

The  members  of  the  Windsor 
Female  Academy. 

The  town  of  Windsor  if  regarded,  either  for  the  nat 
ural  beauty  of  its  situation,  or  the  taste  of  its  inhabitants, 
would  excite  the  admiration  of  the  Tourist.  It  has  no 
important  public  building  except  the  state  prison,  al- 


238  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

though  the  Legislature  of  the  state  has  often  held  its 
sessions  here.  From  the  elevated  grounds  near  it,  the 
distant  view  of  the  Monadnock  mountain  to  the  east,  the 
Green  Mountains,  and  the  Escutnce  to  the  west  ;  the 
beautiful  Connecticut  and  the  picturesque  scenery  of 
the  country  upon  its  shores,  furnish  a  prospect  which 
may  be  gazed  upon  with  delight,  and  which  must  be 
left  with  regret.  The  population  of  this  place  in  1810 
was  2,800. 

"  The  President,  upon  the  23d,  left  Windsor,  and 
was  received  by  the  citizens  of  Woodstock,  with  such 
demonstrations  of  regard,  as  are  the  spontaneous  offer 
ing  of  a  free  people  to  a  respected  Chief  Magistrate. 
A  part  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  with  a  ca 
valcade  of  citizens,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Hall, 
and  a  detachment  of  cavalry,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Mack,  met  the  President  at  Hartland,  and  escorted  him 
to  Woodstock.  A  discharge  of  artillery  announced  the 
arrival  of  the  President  in  the  village,  which  he  enter 
ed  on  horseback,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  The  citizens 
were  formed  in  lines  on  each  side  of  the  street ;  and  as 
the  President  advanced  towards  them,  he  alighted  ;  and, 
conducted  by  Mr.  Hall,  and  accompanied  by  Mr.  Ma 
son,  his  secretary,  and  Col.  Sullivan,  he  passed  up  the 
procession  to  Mr.  Pratt's,  where  he  was  welcomed  by 
Mr.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Swann,  of  the  Committee  of  Ar 
rangements,  and  received  under  the  discharge  of  a 
national  salute,  from  Capt.  Warner's  company  of  artil 
lery,  from  Barnard.  The  following  address  was  then 
presented  by  Mr.  Hutchinson." 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  238 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  citizens  of  Woodstock  and  vicinity,  meet 
the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States  in  this  place, 
with  peculiar  pleasure  and  satisfaction.  They  consider 
it  an  auspicious  event,  and  ominous  of  good  to  their  be 
loved  country,  that  you,  Sir,  have  deemed  it  proper,  at 
this  time,  to  visit,  in  person,  the  various  parts  of  the 
United  States,  that  you  might  become  personally  ac 
quainted,  not  only  with  the  strength  and  resources  of 
the  country,  but,  by  mingling  with  various  classes  of  the 
community,  in  the  different  States,  might  be  conversant 
with  the  religious,  moral,  and  political  opinions  of  the 
people  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  variety  of  these,  might 
witness  the  unanimity  with  which  they  are  universally 
devoted  to  the  best  interests,  and  to  the  support  of  the 
free  and  excellent  political  institutions  of  the  country  ; 
and  how  much  they  delight  to  honour  those,  who,  with 
dignity  and  propriety,  preside  over  them. 

They  hope  and  believe,  that  this  patriotic  and  bene 
ficent  deportment,  on  the  part  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  will  tend  to  heal  the  divisions  and  con 
ciliate  the  feelings  of  the  different  members  of  com 
munity,  and  draw  more  closely  the  bonds  of  union  and 
interest  among  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

With  these  views,  and  with  feelings  of  the  greatest 
personal  respect,  they  bid  you  a  cordial  welcome  to 
their  vicinity  ;  and  pray,  that  under  the  guidance  and 
direction  of  Divine  Providence,  you  may  be  a  happy 
instrument  of  all  that  good  to  our  country,  'which  can 
inspire  the  heart  of  a  wise,  benevolent,  and  enlighten 
ed  statesman. 

"  To  this  the  President  made  a  very  appropriate 
answer,  reciprocating  the  sentiments  contained  in  the 
Address.  He  observed,  among  other  things,  that  in 
the  prosecution  of  his  Tour,  he  was  happy  to  visit  the 
State  of  Vermont  ;  and  that  he  now  met,  with  satisfac 
tion,  the  citizens  of  Woodstock  ;  that  he  felt  duly 


240  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

grateful  for  the  attention  and  respect  which  was  so  li 
berally  manifested  to  him,  and  for  the  facilities  afforded 
him  in  his  progress  through  the  country  ;  that  he  deem 
ed  this  a  demonstration  of  their  attachment  to  the  laws 
of  their  country,  and  was  disposed  to  receive  it  rather 
as  a  mark  of  respect  to  the  office  of  President,  than  a 
personal  compliment ;  that  as  it  respected  himself,  he 
was  confident,  th-,,  -\I  en  he  retired  from  office,  he 
should  receive  the  approbation  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
if,  by  his  oftici  >.\  conduct,  he  should  merit  it.  The 
President  made  some  suitable  remarks  on  the  nature 
of  our  government,  observing,  that  it  protected  us  in 
the  enjoyment  of  our  civil  and  religious  liberties  ;  and 
that  he  could  not  conceive  of  any  right,  which  a  peo 
ple  ought  to  enjoy,  which  were  not  secured  to  us  by 
our  happy  constitution." 

The  town  of  Woodstock,  although  a  small  place,  has 
that  striking  natural  beauty  which  will  claim  the  notice 
of  the  traveller.  It  has  occasionally  been  the  seat  of 
government  for  the  state  ;  is  situated  upon  the  banks 
of  a  beautiful  stream,  passing  through  a  fertile  and  well 
cultivated  valley.  It  has  a  handsome  church,  a  court 
house,  a  prison,  and  many  handsome  private  residen 
ces.  The  President  passed  from  this  place  through 
Royalton  upon  White  river,  to  Montpelier,  the  political 
capital  of  Vermont. 

"  The  President  with  his  suite,  entered  this  little 
village,  and  received,  with  apparent  satisfaction,  the 
respectful  gratulations  of  a  large  concourse  of  the  citi 
zens  of  Washington  County. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  241 

At  10,  he  was  met  and  welcomed  by  the  Committee 
of  Arrangements;  at  Mr.  Stiles'  in  Berlin.  The  pro 
cession  was  then  formed,  under  direction  of  the  Mar 
shals,  and  proceeded  to  Montpelier. 

A  little  before  1 1,  a  discharge  of  artillery  announced 
the  near  approach  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation. 
On  entering  the  village,  he  alighted  from  his  carriage, 
and  proceeded  with  the  cavalcade,  on  horseback,  to  th6 
Academy,  through  the  Main-street,  lined  on  each  side 
by  citizens,  under  direction  of  Joseph  Howes,  Esq. 
Returning  to  the  head  of  State  street,  the  President  dis 
mounted,  was  received  by  the  First  Light  Company., 
commanded  by  Lieut.  E.  P.  Walton,  and  conducted  to 
the  State  House  under  a  national  salute  from  the  WajkT 
ington  Artillery. 

In  front  of  the  State  House,  between  three  and  four' 
hundred  Masters  and  Misses,  Imidents  of  the  Academy 
and  members  of  the  schools  in  the  Village,  dressed  in  a 
neat  uniform,  each  tastefully  decorated  with  garlands 
from  the  field  of  nature,  were  arranged  in  two  lines 
facing  each  other,  in  perfect  order.  Previous  to  the 
arrival  of  the  escort,  the  two  companies  of  Cavalry, 
with  an  expedition  and  regularity  which  did  them  hon 
our,  had  placed  themselves  at  a  proper  and  convenient 
distance  on  the  left  of  the  juvenile  procession. 

The  President  walked  through  this  assemblage  of 
youth,  uncovering  his  head,  and  bowing  as  he  passed, 
entered  the  State  House  under  a  fanciful  arch  of  ever 
greens,  emblematic  we  trust,  of  the  duration  of  our  lib 
erties  ;  on  one  side  of  which  were  these  words  ;  "  July 
4,  1776,"  on  the  other—"  Trenton,  Dec.  26,  1776.'* 
When  in  front  of  the  house,  in  the  portico  of  the  second 
X 


242  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

story,  the  Hon.  James  Fisk,  Chairman  of  the  Committe 
of  Arrangements,  in  presence  of  the  military  and  a  great 
concourse  of  assembled  citizens,  delivered  the  following 
Address  :" 

TO  THE  .PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  citizens  of  Montpelier  and  its  vicinity, 
have  directed  their  committee  to  present  you  their  res 
pectful  salutations,  and  bid  you  a  cordial  welcome. 

The  infancy  of  our  settlements  places  our  progress 
in  the  arts  and  sciences  something  behind  most  of  our 
sister  States  ;  but  we  shall  not  be  denied  some  claim  to 
a  share  of  that  ardent  love  of  liberty,  and  the  Rights  of 
Man,  that  attachment  to  the  honour  and  interest  of  our 
country,  which  now  so  distinguish  the  American  char 
acter  ;  while  the  fields  of  Hubbardton,  the  heights  of 
Walloomsack,  and  the  plains  of  Plattsburgh,  are  admit 
ted  to  witness  in  our  favour. 

Many  of  those  we  no^prepresent,  ventured  their  lives 
in  the  Revolutionary  contest,  and  permit  us  sir,  to  say, 
the  value  of  this  opportunity  is  greatly  enhanced,  by 
the  consideration,  that  we  now  tender  our  respects  to 
one  who  shared  in  all  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  that 
eventful  period,  which  gave  liberty  and  independence 
to  our  country  :  nor  are  we  unmindful  that  from  that 
period  until  now,  every  public  act  of  your  life  evinces 
an  unalterable  attachment  to  the  principles  for  which 
you  then  contended. 

With  such  pledges,  we  feel  an  unlimited  confidence, 
that  should  your  measures  fulfil  your  intentions,  your 
administration  under  the  guidance  of  Divine  Providence, 
will  be  as  prosperous  and  happy  as  its  commencement 
i<  tranquil  and  promising  ;  and  that  the  honour,  the 
rights  and  interests  of  the  nation  will  pass  from  your 
hands  unimpaired. 

JAMES  FISK, 
For  the  Committee. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  243 

'•  To  this  .address  the  President  made  an  affectionate 
and  appropriate  reply,  which  was  received  writh  three 
limes  three  animated  cheers  by  the  citizens. 

The  President  then,  with  his  suite,  Committee,  Mar 
shals  and  Clergy,  visited  the  schools  in  the  Represen 
tatives'  room,  which  was  adorned  with  maps  and  globes 
drawn  by  the  scholars  ;  while  the  front  of  the  gallery 
and  chandelier  displayed  a  beautiful  variety  of  vines 
and  ornaments.  The  scholars  received  him  by  rising, 
and  Mr.  Hill  preceptor  of  the  Academy,  by  saying,  "  I 
present  to  your  Excellency  the  finest  blossoms  and  fairest 
flowers  that  our  climate  produces" — he  replied  "  They 
are  the  finest  nature  can  produce."  After  inspecting  the 
maps  and  globes,  with  approbation,  he  retired  ;  was 
received  at  the  door,  by  the  Washington  Artillery,  com 
manded  by  Capt.  Timothy  Hubbard,  and  escorted 
through  a  line  of  citizens  extending  from  the  State 
House  to  the  dwelling  of  Willis  I.  Caldwell,  Esq.  where 
he  partook  of  a  cold  collation  served  up  with  admirable 
taste  and  elegance. 

The  schools  then  formed  a  procession  preceded  by 
the  first  Light  Company,  with  instrumental  music,  and 
moved  to  the  Academy.  In  passing  the  President's 
quarters  they  saluted  him,  the  masters,  by  uncovering 
their  heads,  the  misses,  by  lowering  their  parasols. 

The  President  having  signified  his  pleasure  to  dis 
pense  with  the  escort  of  cavalry,  after  taking  an  affec 
tionate  leave  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  as 
cended  his  carriage  and  resumed  his  journey  to  Bur 
lington." 

This  place  has  recently  been  established  as  the  per- 


manent  seat  of  government  for  the  state  of  Vermont, 
and  is  rapidly  acquiring  the  consequence  which  a  me 
tropolis  always  draws  within  its  borders.  His  stay  was 
short  here  ;  but  he  visited  the  flourishing  literary  in 
stitution  here  established  ;  and,  in  presence  of  a  nu 
merous  collection  of  youths  of  both  sexes,  received  an 
address  from  their  Preceptor,  uml  returned  an  answer 
worthy  of  the  "  Patron  and  Friend"  of  the  rising  gen 
eration. 

The  President  arrived  at  Burlington  upon  the  eve 
ning  of  the  day  he  left  Windsor,  (23d  July.)  He  here 
had  the  first  view  of  LAKE  CHAPLAIN.  Although  this 
inland  water  in  point  of  extent,  bears  but  a  feeble  com 
parison  with  the  great  Lakes  of  the  President's  native 
country,  he  was  aware  that  it  was  an  important  na 
val  station.  The  command  of  it  would  have  been  of  im 
mense  importance  to  the  enemy  in  the  last  war.  This 
was  evinced  by  their  exertions  to  obtain  it.  It  is  the 
principal  key  of  the  northern  states,  and  the  possession 
of  it  by  a  British  force  would  very  essentially  affect  a 
large  portion  of  the  states  of  New-York  and  Vermont. 

The  President  was  escorted  into  Burlington  in  a 
manner  which  shews,  that  a  cavalcade  of  republican 
freemen,  although  it  was  not  variegated,  like  those  i:i 
I  European  capitals,  with  chariots  bedecked  with  ducal 
coronets,  and  knights  adorned  with  the  blushing  rib- 
bonds  and  brilliant  stars  of  nobility  ;  yet  they  know  how 
to  manifest  their  respect  for  the  man  of  their  choice, 
by  spontaneous  demonstrations  of  respect,  infinitely 
more  gratifying  than  the  coerced  shouts  of  a  degraded, 
oppressed  and  suffering  populace.  Upon  alighting,  he 
\\  as  addressed  by  Daniel  Farrand,  Esq.  on  behalf  of  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  245 

citizens,  in  a  manner  which  shews,  that  when  the  man 
was  before  them,  whose  indefatigable  exertions  had 
greatly  aided  in  saving  them  from  the  depredations  of 
an  enemy  in  their  immediate  neighbourhood,  they  knew 
how  to  appreciate  his  labours  and  admire  his  patriotism 
in  the  cause  of  his  native  country.  The  President 
gave  a  reply,  with  that  modesty,  which  makes  a  genu 
ine  patriot  shrink  from  even  the  sincere  and  grateful 
acknowledgments  of  his  protected  countrymen. 

The  President's  stay  at  the  delightful  town  of  Bur 
lington  was  short.  Had  opportunity  been  afforded, 
he  might  have  here  been  gratified,  with  the  examina 
tion  of  an  infant  university  struggling  into  manhood,  by 
exertions  to  diffuse  the  light  of  science  amongst  the  as 
piring  sons  of  Vermont.  While  many  large  states  have 
but  one,  and  some  large  states  have  no  university, 
Vermont  may  boast  of  two — Burlington  and  Middlebu- 
ry.  Although  the  fact  must  be  admitted  that  these 
Literary  Institutions  have  not  yet  excited  the  notice 
of  the  Old  World,  and  are  not  yet,  like  some  others, 
the  pride  of  the  New  ;  it  ought  to  be  remembered  that 
the  universities  of  Oxford  and  Cambridge  in  England, 
were  infant  establishments  as  late  as  the  reign  of  Hen 
ry  VIII. 

The  President  took  his  departure  from  Burlington 
by  water.  He  was  wafted  upon  the  waters  of  Lake 
Champlain  to  Vergennes,  where  he  examined  the  exten 
sive  iron  works  there  established.  He  also  viewed  the 
place  where  the  fleet  of  MACDONOUGH  was  built.  The 
President  was  aware,  that  this  gallant  officer  was  sta 
tioned  upon  this  Lake  as  a  Lieutenant  commandant, 
when  scarcely  ten  American  guns  were  carried  upon 
X  2 


•MG  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

its  bosom.  The  enemy  were  exerting  their  well  knowD 
naval  energies  to  obtain  the  ascendency   upon  Cham- 
pluin.     This  young  officer,  having  early  become  a  pu 
pil  in  the  Mediterranean  school,  where  Americans  first 
began  to  conquer  systematically  upon  the  ocean,  with 
the  most  discouraging  prospects,  prosecuted  the  arduous 
duty  assigned  him,  with  a  cool  deliberation  and  a  de 
termined  perseverance,  which  afforded  an  encouraging 
presage  of  his  future  character  for  regulated  courage. 
The  victory  he  obtained  upon  this  Lake,  was   not  the 
result  of  accident  or  fortune.     It  was  the  necessary  ef 
fect  following  well  known  causes.     This  victory,  con 
sidered  in  every  point  of  view,  was  one  of  the  most 
important  achieved  in  the  second  war  for  American  In 
dependence.  Connected  with  that  obtained  at  the  same 
time  by  the  gallant  MACOMB,-  over  the  governour  gene 
ral  of  all  the  Candas,  it  secured  the  western  section  of 
Vermont,   and  the  immensely  important  country  upon 
the  Hudson  in  New  York,  from  the  devastations  of  an 
enemy,   some  of  whom  had  become  familiar  with  vic 
tory  and  plunder  in  the  old  world.     The  importance  of 
it  is  clearly   demonstrated  by  the  applause  and  reward 
bestowed   upon  the  intrepid  officer  who  obtained  it. 
Cnpt.   THOMAS  MACDONOUGH  cannot  complain,  as  many 
itorious  officers  may  justly  do,  that  "  Republics  arc 
ungrateful."     The  following  is  the  Address  of  the  cit 
izens  of  Burlington,  and  the  President's  Answer. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — In  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Bur 
lington,  and  its  vicinity,  we  congratulate  you  on  your 
safe  arrival,  within  this  part  of  the  State  of  Vermont. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  247 

Living  under  a  government  of  our  own  choice, 
where  birth  arwl  hereditary  titles  create  no  fictitious 
privileges — where  the  avenues  of  office  are  opened  to 
exalted  merit — and  where  virtue  and  worth  confer  the 
only  distinctions  known  to  our  law,  the  citizen  is  under 
a  moral  obligation  to  respect  the  authorities  of  his  coun 
try. 

Permit  us,  Sir,  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  opportunity 
afforded  by  this  interview,  to  assure  you  of  a  cordial 
reception,  and  while  we  testify  the  high  sense  we  en 
tertain  of  your  private  worth,  to  discharge  the  pleasing 
task  of  tendering  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  our  coun 
try,  the  respect  due  to  his  exalted  station. 

The  pleasure  of  a  person/Tacquaintance  is  much  in 
creased  by  a  knowledg»>£Kf  the  objects  of  your  visit. 
In  common  with  yourself  and  every  virtuous  citizen, 
we  indulge  an  honest  pride  in  contemplating  the  civil 
institutions  of  our  country,  and  rejoice  in  every  meas 
ure  which  has  for  its  object  the  protection  and  security 
of  the  people.  In  proportion  to  the  value  we  attach 
to  the  blessings  of  rational  liberty,  should  be  our  ex 
ertions  to  render  the  enjoyment  of  them  secure.  Pla- 
ce<fcupon  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States,  in  situations 
assailable  by  the  sudden  irruptions  of  an  invading  foe, 
the  dangers  to  which  we  may  be  exposed  give  addition 
al  value  to  any  precautionary  measures  of  defence. 

We  rejoice  that  the  noise  of  war  is  lost  in  the  busy 
arts  of  peace,  that  the  citizen  is  left  to  the  honest  pur 
suit  of  industry  and  enterprize,  under  a  confidence  that 
his  interest  is  identified  with  that  of  the  public.  But 
you  will  not  believe  us  alarmed  by  idle  fears,  when  we 
assure  you  that  the  recent  events  on  this  frontier  have 
shown  us,  that  whatever  we  hold  dear  may  be  jeop 
ardized  by  the  chance  of  war.  The  citizens  of  Ver 
mont  will  not  soon  forget  the  memorable  eleventh  of 
September,  eighteen  hundred  and  fourteen,  or  foil  to 
appreciate  the  worth  of  those  who  so  valiantly  defend 
ed  their  country's  flag,  and  secured  to  themselves  im 
mortal  glory.  The  anxious  solicitude  of  this  awful, 
but  glorious  day,  has  forcibly  impressed  upon  our  minds 


7 

/48  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the  truth  of  the  position,  that  peace  ui/te  time  to  prepare 
for  war. 

We  are  pleased  to  know  that  this  subject  has  already 
engaged  your  attention.  From  a  personal  inspection 
of  the  various  parts  of  our  extended  republic,  you 
will  be  enabled  the  better  to  ascertain  its  vulnerable 
points,  and  advise  to  measures  of  future  security.  Nor 
is  this  subject  an  uninteresting  one.  The  patriot, 
whose  liberal  soul  is  animated  by  the  prospect  of  ame 
liorating  the  condition  of  his  fellow  men,  here  finds  an 
object  commensurate  to  his  desires  ;  and  while  he  gen 
erously  devotes  himself  to  the  welfare  of  his  country, 
he  is  sustained  by  a  consciousness  that  his  exertions 
have  promoted  its  glory.  Nature  also  seems  to  have 
designated  our  beloved  country  as  the  scene  of  no  ordi 
nary  exertions.  She  has  scattered  her  gifts  with  a  mu 
nificent  hand,  and  points  the  way  to  high  and  ennobling 
pursuits.  The  vast  extent  of  our  territory,  the  gran 
deur  of  its  scenery,  its  mountains,  its  rivers,  and  its  in 
land  seas,  the  abundance  of  its  means,  together  with  the 
progress  of  population  and  improvement,  combine  to 
render  it  an  object  of  sublime  contemplation. 

The  alacrity  and  zeal  with  which  you  have  engaged 
in  the  military  and  naval  defences  of  our  country,  is  an 
additional  pledge  of  your  honourable  motives  and  patri 
otic  wishes. 

That  your  labour  maybe  crowned  with  abundant  suc 
cess,  and  that  you  may  long  live  to  reap  the  rich  reward 
of  a  life  well  spent  in  the  service  of  your  country,  is 
our  most  earnest  wish. 

DANIEL  FARRAND, 
For  Committee  of  Arrangements. 

Burlington,  July  24 ,  1817. 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  REPLY. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS  ; 

In  entering  the  town  of  Burlington,  I  find  myself  in 
view  of  a  scene,  associated  in  every  bosom  with  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  249 

dearest  interests  and  highest  honour  of  the  country. 
The  eventful  action  on  your  lake  and  its'  invaded  shores, 
can  never  be  contemplated  without  the  deepest  emo 
tion.  It  bound  the  union  by  stronger  ties,  if  possible, 
than  ever.  It  filled  every  breast  with  confidence  in  our 
arms,  and  aroused  the  spirit  of  the  country.  The  prox 
imity  of  these  scenes  shall  animate  our  children  to  em 
ulate  the  honourable  example  of  their  fathers.  They 
too  shall  realize,  that  in  the  hour  of  peril,  their  coun 
try  shall  never  want  defenders,  resolute  and  brave  as 
their  ancestors,  and  firm  as  the  mountains  that  gave 
them  birth. 

Truly,  no  nation  has  richer  treasures  of  civil  or  re 
ligious  liberty  to  defend.  None  stronger  ties  to  united 
and  to  enlightened  and  to  extended  patriotism.  That  a 
just  sense  of  these  truths  pervades  the  community,  is 
evinced  in  the  respect,  which  you  tender  to  the  office  of 
the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  country  in  my  person. 

The  important  objects  of  my  Tour  become  the  more 
interesting,  as  1  find  the  frontier  more  exposed.  You 
may  feel  assured  that  the  government  will  not  withhold 
any  practicable  measures,  for  the  security  of  your  town  ; 
nor  have  I  ever  donated  that  preparation  for  defence 
in  time  of  peace,  would  ever  prove  the  best  economy 
in  war. 

If  in  pursuing  the?e  important  objects,  and  administer 
ing  the  government  upon  principles  consonant  with  the 
benign  spirit  of  our  constitution,  my  sincere  and  honest 
efforts  should  be  crowned,  as  you  wish,  with  abundant 
success  ;  it  will  be  a  real  gratification  to  myself,  that 
you  and  your  state  will  eminently  particpate  in  the  be 
neficent  providential  result. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

The  President  arrived  at  Plattsburgh  upon  the  25th, 
where  these  signal  victories  were  obtained  upon  the 
1 1th  September,  1814.  The  British  general  Brisbane 
had,  a  short  time  before,  issued  a  Proclamation,  calling 
upon  the  people  to  submit  peaceably  to  the  government 


"50  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

he  should  shortly  exercise  over  them.  Sir  George  Pre- 
vost  had  fixed  upon  an  elegant  private  residence  here, 
as  his  seat.  But  the  proclaiming  general  was  not  then 
in  Spain  or  Portugal,  and  the  governour  general  was  then 
nothing  but  an  English  Knight  in  Canada.  A  small  body 
of  regular  troops,  cordially  united  with  the  patriotic  mi 
litia  of  New-York  and  Vermont,  all  under  General  MA- 
COMB,  compelled  an  army,  treble  their  numbers,  to 
make  a  precipitate  retreat  to  save  themselves  from  to 
tal  destruction.  The  1 1th  of  September  at  Plattsburgh, 
and  the  8th  January  at  New-Orleans,  the  northern  and 
southern  extremes  of  the  union,  will  be  kept  as  anniver 
saries.  The  President  was  received  here  in  a  manner 
worthy  of  the  people  and  of  him.  Prescribed  limits 
has  compelled  me  to  exclude  many  elegant  and  impress 
ive  addresses  to  the  President,  from  his  fellow  citizens, 
and  many  interesting  particulars  relative  to  the  places 
in  which  he  received  them.  In  no  place,  through  his 
extensive  Tour,  was  the  President  received  with  more 
undissembled  tokens  of  respect,  than  at  Plattsburgh.  A 
place  that  has  been  improved  as  a  military  rendezvous 
— that  has  had  in  its  bosom  the  accomplished  officers  of 
the  Army  and  Navy,  and  the  veteran  soldiers  and  gal 
lant  sailors  of  our  country,  has  a  consequence  attached 
to  it  which  scarce  any  other  circumstances  can  impart. 
Its  citizens  acquire  a  manly  deportment,  and  a  dignified 
affability,  which  is  sought  for  in  vain  amongst  the  effem 
inate  votaries  of  modern  fashion,  and  fashionable  a- 
musements. 

Plattsburgh  is  situated  upon  the  west  side  of  Lake 
Champlain,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Saranac.  Until 
the  last  war,  it  was  known  only  as  a  pleasant  village  ; 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  251 

its  name  is  now  associated  with  the  proudest  recollec 
tions.  At  the  commencement  of  that  war,  it  was  the 
head  quarters  during  a  disastrous  campaign — at  the 
close  of  it,  it  had  become  the  theatre  of  American  glory. 
It  is  a  fact,  although  a  melancholy  fact,  that  those  pla 
ces  that  have  been  the  scenes  of  blood,  death  and  victo- 
ry^  have  been  most  celebrated  by  the  ancient  and  mod 
ern  epic  poets.  They  are  called  "  classic  ground," 
probably  for  this  reason.  It  remains  for  the  future 
poet  to  immortalize  the  plains  of  Cliippewa,  Bridgewa- 
ter,  Plattsburgh,  and  New-Orleans,  and  the  undaunted 
republican  heroes,  who  there  achieved  victories  which 
give  them  a  rank  with  the  first  soldiers  in  the  world. 

Plattsburgh  is  the  capital  of  Clinton  county,  N.  Y. 
and  is  the  seat  of  justice  for  that  county.  It  contains  a 
handsome  church,  a  court  house,  and  a  prison.  Its 
population  is  over  3,500. 

The  President  remained  at  Plattsburgh  some  time, 
assiduously  devoted  to  the  great  object  of  his  Tour; 
advancing  the  interests  of  the  people,  and  improving 
the  national  defence. 

Upon  leaving  it,  and  prosecuting  his  route  toward 
Ogdcmburg,  through  the  majestic  forests,  his  attention 
was  suddenly  arrested  by  an  elegant  collation,  fitted  up 
in  a  superiour  style,  by  the  officers  of  the  army  and  the 
citizens  of  the  country.  He  partook  of  it,  with  a  heart 
beating  in  unison  with  those  of  his  patriotic  country 
men,  by  whom  he  was  surrounded  ;  and  acknowledged 
this  unexpected  and  romantic  civility,  with  an  unaffect 
ed  and  dignified  complacence. 

The  President,  at  this  period  of  his  Tonr,  finding 
it  indispensably  necessary  to  prosecute  the  remaining 


252  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

part  of  it  with  great  expedition,  was  under  the  necessi 
ty  of  foregoing  many  opportunities  of  associating  with 
the  rapidly  increasing  and  ardently  patriotic  people,  in 
habiting  the  western  frontier  of  the  northern  section 
of  the  Union. 

He  reached  Ogdcnsburg  upon  the  31st  July,  and  was 
thus  addressed  by  the  citizens  of  that  place. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  trustees  and  inhabitants  of  this  village 
welcome,  with  peculiar  satisfaction,  your  arrival  in 
health  among  them,  after  your  long  ami  il.ti  ^uingjourney 
through  many  of  our  yet  infant  settlements.  In  com 
mon  with  the  nation,  we  have  viewed  with  much  inter 
est  your  important  Tour  along  our  sea  board  and  fron 
tier,  particularly  confiding  in  your  observation,  wis 
dom  and  experience  for  the  establishment  of  such  points 
of  national  defence,  along  our  immediate  border,  as 
will  best  promote  our  individual  prosperity,  and 
strengthen  the  national  security.  Born  and  educated 
under  a  government  whose  laws  we  venerate,  enjoying 
a  soil  rich  in  the  bounties  of  Providence,  and  grateful 
for  the  invaluable  blessings  of  liberty,  bequeathed  to  us 
by  the  heroes  of  the  revolution,  no  excitement  will  be 
wanting  on  our  part,  to  maintain,  defend,  and  to  trans 
mit  to  posterity  the  benefits  we  so  eminently  possess. 
Experience,  however,  has  taught  us  that  individual  or 
sectional  exertions,  be  they  ever  so  ardent,  unless 
aided  by  the  strong  and  protecting  arm  of  government, 
afford  but  feeble  defence  against  a  powerful  foe.  Pla 
ced  on  a  frontier  contiguous  to  a  warlike  and  powerful 
nation,  enjoying  the  advantages  of  an  extensive  and  in- 
. -ing  L  ivigation,  it  is  peculiarly  important  that  our 
loc:il  situation  should  be  well  understood.  At  the  com- 
m  'ticempn!  of  the  late  war,  the  attention  of  govern- 
mnnt  was  in  the  first  instance,  naturally  drawn  to  the 
<l  fence  •>!'  that  extensive  line  of  sea  coast,  on  which 
the  immense  maritime  force  of  the  enemy  could  be 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  253 

most  effectually  exerted,  and  consequently  the  more 
remote  and  interior  defences  did  not,  perhaps,  receive 
the  same  protection  whfch  their  importance  warranted. 
But  commencing:  your  administration  in  a  time  of  pro 
found  peace,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  the  nation,  and 
presiding  over  a  government  proud  of  its  honour,  tena 
cious  of  its  rights,  and  possessing  the  requisite  resour 
ces,  we  ilatter  ourselves,  should  any  collisions  hereafter 
take  place,  (which  we  pray  heaven  to  avert)  your  pen 
etration  and  judgment,  aided  by  your  local  observation, 
will  have  pointed  out  and  perfected  such  a  line  of  de 
fences  as  will  ensure  our  personal  safety,  and  redound 
to  the  prosperity  and  honour  of  the  nation. 

That  you  may  establish  these  desirable  objects  ; 
progress  in  your  important  Tour  with,  safety,  and  re 
turn  happily  to  the  bosom  of  your  domestic  circle,  is, 
Sir,  the  fervent  prayer  of  your  obedient  servants. 

To  which  the  President  replied  extempore,  in  sub 
stance  as  follows  : 

"  He  thanked  the  citizens  for  their  attention  and  very 
polite  reception — that  he  received  it  as  marks  of  res 
pect  to  the  first  magistrate  of  the  nation,  by  no  means 
arrogating  it  to  himself  as  an  individual — that  it  gave 
him  great  pleasure,  as  it  evinced  an  attachment  of  the 
people  to  that  form  of  government  which  they  them 
selves  had  established — that  he  was  satisfied  they  had  a 
just  estimate  of  its  value,  and  were  sincerely  devoted 
to  its  preservation — that  in  administering  it,  He  would 
support  its  principles,  and,  ay  far  as  in  him  lay,  promote 
the  best  interests  of  the  country — that  as  the  address 
correctly  stated,  his  journey  was  connected  with  objects 
of  national  defence,  and  to  acquire  such  information  as 
would  the  better  enable  him  to  discharge  the  duties  of 
his  office — That  the  government  had  appropriated  large 

y 


2o4  PRESIDENT  S.  TOUK. 

sums  of  money,  the  judicious  application  of  which  de 
pended  much  on  the  executive— he  perfectly  agreed 
that  a  time  of  peace  was  the  best  time  to  prepare  for 
defence  ;  but  had  much  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  best 
understanding  prevailed  between  our  government  and 
that  of  Great  Britain,  and  was  persuaded  that  we  had 
every  reason  to  look  for  a  permanent  peace — that  the 
importance  of  our  situation  along  the  St.  Lawrence  had 
not  escaped  his  observation,-  and  he  was  much  gratified 
in  his  progress  through,  that  he  found  it  a  fertile  coun 
try,  abounding  in  every  resource,  and  inhabited  by  an 
enterprising,  industrious,  and  he  believed,  virtuous 
people." 

Upon  reaching  Qgdensburg,  the  President  was  upon 
the  banks  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence.  The  history  of 
the  new  world  is  pregnant  with  the  important  events 
that  have  taken  place  upon  this  great  river,  and  upon 
the  immense  lakes  whose  waters  communicate  with  it. 
In  the  French  war,  usually  so  called,  they  furnished  a 
boundary  between  the  French  provinces  of  Upper  and 
Lower  Canada,  and  the  English  Colonies  to  the  south  and 
east  of  it.  The  plains  of  Abraham,  near  Quebec,  are 
as  much  celebrated  for  the  battle  there  fought  by  Mont- 
calm  and  Wolf,  as  the  field  of  Waterloo,  where  Napo 
leon  and  Wellington  met  each  other  with  almost  all  the 
armies  of  Europe.  The  Canadas,  at  the  termination  of 
that  war,  were  ceded  by  the  French  monarch  to  the 
British  crown.  At  the  commencement  of  the  revolu 
tionary  war,  these  provinces  adhered  to  the  power 
that  had  before  subjugated  them  ;  and  the  St.  Lawrence 
and  the  lakes  became  the  boundary  between  them  and 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  255 

the  northern  and  eastern  colonies,  which  tore  asunder 
the  ligament  that  bound  them  to  the  British  empire. 
In  that  war,  the  death  of  the  gallant  MONTGOMERY,  who 
fell  upon  its  banks,  bedewed  his  countrymen  in  tears  ; 
by  their  tears  he  was  embalmed  ;  and  by  them  his 
memory  will  forever  be  cherished.  A  portion  of  this 
river  and  these  lakes  yet  continue  to  be  the  boundary 
between  the  Provinces  of  Canada,  and  the  Independent 
States  of  America.  In  the  last  war,  these  waters  be 
came  the  theatre  of  the  most  sanguine  military  opera 
tions  between  Americans  and  Englishmen,  who  have 
one  common  origin,  but  no  longer  any  common  inter 
est.  The  events  that  have  taken  place  upon  then), 
would  justify  an  allusion  to  ancient  encounters — 

"  When  Greek  meets  Greek,  then  comes  the  tii£  of  war." 

Ogdensburg  was  among  the  first  places  which  the 
British  army  attempted  to  invade  in  the  last  war.  It 
was  an  abortive  attempt  ;  but  afterwards  they  succeed 
ed  ;  and,  for  a  time,  held  the  possession  of  it  without 
any  benefit  to  themselves,  or  any  essential  injury  to  the 
Republic.  Warfare,  by  conflagration.,  had  not  then 
commenced  ;  and  "  Beauty  and  Booty"  was  not  then  a 
countersign.  This  town  is  the  capital  of  the  county  of 
St.  Lawrence  ;  is  situated  at  the  confluence  of  the  river 
Oswegatchie  with  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  is  an  handsome 
and  flourishing  village. 

The  President  left  Ogdensburg,  and  directed  his 
course  towards  Sackett's  Harbour.  He  passed  through 
a  country,  which,  a  few  years  since,  was  a  wilderness, 
but  which  is  now  a  region  of  civilization,  and  offers  to 
the  traveller  of  observation,  many  appearances  of  active 


256  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

industry,  and  numerous  evidences  of  progressive  im 
provement. 

Upon  his  arrival  at  Sachet? s  Harbour,  the  President 
reached  the  borders  of  LAKE  ONTARIO.  He  here  saw  a 
lake  in  the  interior  of  his  native  country,  which,  in  some 
portions  of  the  globe,  would  be  denominated  a  sea.  The 
historian  will  readily  remember  the  era  when  the  Med 
iterranean  contained  less  naval  force  upon  its  bosom, 
than  Lake  Ontario  could  boast  of  in  the  last  war,  be 
tween  the  American  Republic,  arid  the  British  empire. 
Strife  for  dominion  induced  these  powers  to  cover  its 
surface  with  the  floating  engines  of  destruction,  which 
must  either  conquer  and  decay  within  its  limited  bor 
ders,  or  be  transported,  by  piece-meals,  to  an  element 
where  they  might  waft  over  the  watery  world.  The 
American  and  English  fleets  grew  up,  almost  in  sight  of 
each  other,  upon  this  important  inland  water  ;  and,  in 
sight  of  each  other,  like  two  lions  growling  at  a  distance, 
they  neither  of  them  gained  dominion.  This  effort  was 
the  result  of  war — it  was  terminated'by  the  conclusion 
of  peace.  However  much  the  cool,  reflecting  philo 
sopher  might  wonder  at  such  unparalleled  exertions, 
the  statesman  knows  that  when  his  countrymen  consent, 
peaceably,  to  surrender  any  portion  of  their  country,  to 
an  eneni}^,  the  whole  of  it  is  endangered. 

Although  Lake  Ontario,  like  Lake  Erie  and  Lake 
Champlain,  has  not  been  the  theatre  of  the  prowess  of 
the  American  navy,  over  that  of  Britain,  yet  the  naval 
power  of  the  Americans,  upon  this  lake,  tended  to 
thwart  the  objects  of  the  British  government,  in  re- 
colonizing  the  Independent  States  of  America,  and  bring 
ing  them  again  under  British  dominion.  A  man  is  of- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  257 

ten  immortalized  by  a  single  fortunate  act,  while  one, 
equally  meritorious,  and  equally  praise  worthy,  for  a 
long  course  of  duty  rendered  his  country,  in  stations 
where  no  opportunity  was  afforded  for  a  brilliant  a- 
chievement,  may  be  disregarded.  Lake  Erie  and  Perry 
— Lake  Champlain  and  Macdonough,  are  always  re 
membered  together  ;  while  the  commander  of  the  A- 
merican  fleet  upon  Ontario  is  remembered  only  as  an 
accomplished  naval  officer,  who  has  not  yet  signalized 
himself. 

The  conclusion  of  peace  probably  prevented  as  des 
perate  a  battle  as  ever  had  hitherto  been  fought  be 
tween  equal  forces  upon  the  water.  The  courage  of 
Chauncey  was  never  doubted  by  those  who  knew  him  ; 
and  Yeo  would  not  have  yielded  to  him,  without  a  des 
perate  contest.  As  long  as  two  different  governments 
hold  possession  of  the  countries  north  and  south  of  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  east  and  west  of  the  lakes  ;  these 
waters  must  continue  to  be  the  theatres  of  naval  contests, 
until  that  period  commences,  when  the  Eagle  and  the 
Lion,  as  well  as  the  Lion  and  the  Lamb,  can  be  brought 
to  dwell  together  in  unity.  Nature  has  created  the 
countries,  bordering  upon  these  waters,  to  be  inhabited 
by  a  people  under  the  same  government. 

Sackett's  Harbour,  in  the  last  war,  was  the  scene  of 
many  important  military  and  naval  operations.  The 
hopes  of  our  Republic  were  here  excited  in  the  last 
war  ;  and  here  its  fears  were  allayed  by  the  undaunted 
courage  of  republican  soldiers.  The  British  army  and 
fleet,  flushed  with  victory  in  the  Eastern  world,  vainly 
hoped  to  wield  the  trident  of  Neptune,  and  to  direct 
the  thunder  of  Mars  in  such  a  manner  as  to  compel  the 
Y2 


1'58  PRESIDENT^    TOt'K. 

then  untutored  soldiers  and  sailors  of  America,  to  yield 
to  a  prowess,  which,  to  the  ineffable  disgrace  of  the 
old  world,  has  too  long  bowed  to  it.  But  every  true 
American  may  well  exclaim,  with  a  valiant  chieftan, 
"  I  was  not  born  a  yielder." 

I  very  much  regret,  that  the  want  of  the  necessary 
documents,  prevents  me  from  particularly  noticing  the 
manner  in  which  the  President  was  received  at  Sack- 
etts'-Harbour.  The  people  here,  welcomed  his  entry 
into  this  village,  with  hearts  beating  fervently  with 
gratitude  to  the  man  who  had  so  incessantly  laboured 
to  defend  them.  The  military  display  excited  his  ad 
miration.  The  militia  of  this  vicinity,  by  the  long 
presence  of  regular  troops,  had  become  familiar  with 
scientific,  military  tactics.  The  President  reviewed 
them  with  the  eye  of  a  soldier  who  "had  seen  service." 
In  the  familiar  phrase  of  our  countrymen,  he  was 
**  wideawake"  upon  the  occasion.  The  civil  authori 
ties  vied  with  the  soldiery,  in  offering  every  demonstra 
tion  of  respect  to  the  man  who,  like  Washington,  is 
'''•first  in  -war,  first  in  peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of 
his  countrymen."  Indispensable  duties,  at  the  seat  of 
government,  rendered  his  stay  at  this  place  short. 

At  this  place  the  President  received  the  following 
Address  from  a  few  surviving  veterans  of  the  army  of 
the  revolution,  to  which  he  very  affectionately  an 
swered. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — It  is  with  pleasure  that  we,  a  few  of  the  survi- 
Tors  of  the  revolution,  residing  in  this  part  of  the  coun 
try,  welcome  the  arrival  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  the 
union.  It  is  with  increased  satisfaction  we  recogni?f 


PRESIDENTS    TOUR.  259 

in  him  one  of  the  number  engaged  with  us  in  the  ardu 
ous  struggle  of  establishing  the  independence  of  the 
country. 

We  have  lived,  Sir,  to  see  the  fruits  of  our  toils  and 
struggles  amply  realised  in  the  happiness  and  prosperi 
ty  of  our  country  ;  and,  Sir,  we  have  the  fullest  confi 
dence,  that  under  your  administration,  they  will  be 
handed  down  to  our  posterity  unimpaired.  Like  your 
immortal  predecessor,  the  illustrious  Washington,  may 
you  be  honoured  by  the  present  and  future  genera 
tions,  and  finally  receive  the  rich  reward  with  him  in 
realms  above. 

The  following  is  the  Address  of  the  citizens  of  Sack  - 
ett's-Harbour. 

SIR — The  Committee  appointed  in  behalf  of  their 
fellow-citizens,  would  congratulate  the  President  of  the 
United  States  upon  his  arrival  at  this  place.  It  is  with 
pleasure  unfeigned  and  unalloyed,  that  all  descriptions 
of  men  behold  among  them  for  the  first  time  the  chief 
magistrate  of  the  union. 

They  look  upon  it  as  a  pledge  that  their  interests  will 
not  be  forgotten,  as  the  situation  of  this  section  of  the 
country  will  be  personally  known  to  him  on  whom  the 
American  people  have  placed  their  highest  confidence, 
and  bestowed  their  greatest  honours.  And  that,  although 
situated  on  the  frontiers  remote  from  the  centre  of  the 
government,  they  hope  to  live  in  the  recollection  of 
him  whose  happiness  it  is  to  preside  over  its  high  and 
exalted  destinies. 

It  is  gratifying  to  learn,  that  the  object  of  your  ardu 
ous  Tour,  is  to  ascertain  whatever  will  contribute  t? 
the  interest,  improvement,  or  defence  of  the  country. 
It  therefore  becomes  our  duty  to  express  the  solicitude 
of  our  constituents,  as  it  regards  their  peculiar  situa 
tion.  Twice  have  they  been  placed  on  the  very  verge 
of  ruin,  by  successive  attacks  in  the  late  war.  Had 
works  of  defence  been  erected  in  commanding  situa 
tions,  such  attempts  would  probably  never  have  been 
made  ;  at  all  events  would  have  been  repulsed  with 


2GO  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

greater  certaiuty  and  with  less  expense  of  blood.  And 
it  will  still  be  observable,  that  additional  fortifications 
would  be  requisite  to  render  effectual  a  resistance 
against  superiour  numbers.  You  fields,  which  have 
been  dyed  with  the  blood  of  Colonels  Backus  and  Mills, 
can  attest  how  much  works  of  defence  have  there  been 
needed. 

Wo  trust  the  period  is  far  distant,  when  hostilities, 
if  ever,  shall  again  occur  ;  but  as  this  may  not  be  the 
fact,  prudential  reasons  would  seem  to  indicate  the  util 
ity  of  a  great  military  road,  in  the  most  proper  direc 
tion,  for  uniting  the  resources  of  the  country  with  this 
chief  military  and  naval  depot  of  the  northern  fron 
tier. 

The  extensive  public,  and  the  increasing  amount 
of  private  property,  together  with  a  personal  anxiety, 
we  trust  will  be  accepted  as  an  apology  for  specifying 
that  which  doubtless  has  already  occurred  to  your  ob 
servation.  There  are  objects  of  minor  importance,  yet 
interesting  to  our  fellow  citizens,  which  we  hope  will 
attract  the  notice,  and  not  be  deemed  unworthy  the 
consideration,  of  the  executive  of  this  free  and  enlight 
ened  republic. 

We  cannot  conclude,  without  expressing  our  convic 
tion,  that  he  who  has  for  nearly  half  a  century  devoted 
his  services  to  his  country,  will  render  this  Tour  as 
eminently  useful  as  it  has  been  gratifying  to  the  Ameri 
can  people.  We  deem  it  a  happiness  to  embrace  this 
opportunity  of  personally  expressing  our  highest  regard 
for  your  private  character  and  public  worth. 

The  President  left  this  place,  and  arrived  at  Fort 
Niagara  upon  the  8th  of  August. 

He  here  reached  the  borders  of  the  Peninsula,  formed 
by  Lake  Ontario  and  Lake  Erie  ;  one  of  the  most  inter 
esting,  one  of  the  most  renowned  sections  of  Upper 
Canada.  It  was  upon  this  Peninsula,  that  the  battles 
of  Chippewa  and  Bridge-water  were  fought.  Two  na 
tions,  which,  all  circumstances  considered,  may  be  call- 


PRESIDENT'S  TUUR.  261 

ed  the  most  powerful  on  earth,  here  contested  the 
point  of  superiority  between  thenl.  These  battles, 
and  the  surrounding  country,  would  afford  the  most 
exalted  subjects  of  Poetry  and  Painting.  It  would  re 
quire  the  genius  of  a  Barlow  to  do  justice  in  the  first  ; 
and  of  a  TRUMBULL  in  tbo  second.  The  rival  armies 
had  long  sounded  "  dreadful  notes  of  preparation" 
When  they  met,  it  was  the  business  of  every  man  to  die. 
Each  one  was  ready  to  meet  his  hostile  foe,  and  to  con 
quer  or  to  fall.  The  roaring  of  the  cannon,  under  the 
ensigns  of  the  Eagle  and  Lion,  was  responded  by  the 
roaring  of  the  cataract  of  Niagara.  The  most  astonish 
ing  works  of  nature,  and  the  most  destructive  art  of 
man,  were  united  to  give  grandeur  and  sublimity  to  the 
scenery. 

The  reader  of  history  is  too  apt  to  estimate  the 
consequence  of  a  victory  from  the  numbers  engaged  in 
the  battle  where  it  was  achieved.  But  when  every  at 
tending  circumstance  is  taken  into  cool  consideration, 
the  victories  of  Chippetva  and  Bridgewater,  may  well 
be  ranked  with  those  of  Lodi  and  Marengo,  where  all 
the  art  of  the  commanding  generals,  and  all  the  physi 
cal  and  tactical  powers  of  men,  were  called  into  active 
operation.  This  subject  can  only  be  alluded  to  in  this 
place  ;  but  the  historian  will,  hereafter,  treat  it  in  a 
manner  which  its  importance  demands.  The  25th  reg 
iment  of  the  United  States  army,  here  acquired  a  death 
less  fame,  although  many  of  its  brave  soldiers  found  the 
graves  which  are  "filled  with  heroes  slain."  But  vic 
tory  attended  the  daring  efforts  of  American  soldiers  ; 
and  the  proud  and  valiant  officers  of  Britain,  were  com 
pelled  to  exclaim,  in  the  most  expressive  terms,  "  The 


262  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

Americans  are  the  only  people  upon  earth,  who  do  not 
knozv  when  they  are  conquered."  This  declaration  was 
made  by  the  British  Major  General  Rial  to  Lieut.  Phin- 
eas  Andrews,  the  gallant  bearer  of  the  regimental  stand 
ard  of  the  25th,  at  the  battle  of  Chippewa. 

The  President  arrived  at  Fort  Niagara  upon  the  8th 
of  August,  and  passed  up  the  river  Niagara  to  the  falls, 
too  well  known,  and  too  important  to  be  described  in 
this  place.  He  viewed  them,  and  lodged  near  them. 

Upon  the  9th,  the  citizens  <£  Buff  aloe  tendered  to  the 
President  their  respects,  and  presented  an  impressive 
Address,  to  which  the  President  answered  in  a  style 
which  shews,  that  while  he  can  sympathize  with  his 
countrymen  for  the  distress  which  war  bring?  upon  any 
people,  he  can  admire  Americans  for  the  fortitude  with 
which  they  bear  it,  and  for  the  courage  with  which  they 
chastise  those  who  inflict  it.  The  address  and  answer 
are  necessarily  omitted  to  give  place  to  a  very  few  re 
marks  upon  this  interesting  village. 

The  village  of  Buff  aloe,  from  its  locality,  has  become 
one  of  the  most  important  places  in  the  western  frontier 
of  the  state  of  New-York.  It  is  situated  upon  the  out 
let  of  Lake  Erie,  which  makes  the  river  Niagara  ;  the 
communication  between  that  Lake  arid  Lake  Ontario. 

It  is  situated  in  that  portion  of  the  world,  where  the 
works  of  nature  are  presented  to  the  eye  of  man  in  its 
most  impressive  grandeur.  It  is  through  the  Niagara 
river,  that  all  the  waters  of  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  Lake 
Superiour,  Lake  Michigan,  Lake  Huron,  and  Lake  Erie, 
make  a  passage  through  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Atlan 
tic.  These  immense  waters,  instead  of  pursuing  a 
noiseless  course  upon  a  level  plain,  are  precipitated. 


263 

with  irresistable  force,  over  a  perpendicular  rock,  of  an 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height,  at  Niagara  falls.  The 
view  of  this  stupendous  cataract,  leaves  the  astonished 
beholder  in  speechless  astonishment.  Man  here  feels 
his  littleness,  and  acknowledges  his  inferiority.  He 
cannot  resist,  but  he  is  compelled  to  admire  the  stu 
pendous  works  of  nature.  The  roaring  of  the  water 
tumbling  impetuously  down  to  the  adamantine  founda 
tion  of  this  majestic  rock,  is  perpetually  heard  by  those 
who  inhabit  the  surrounding  country. 

The  delightful  village  of  Buffaloe,  is  situated  but  a 
short  distance  from  the  falls  of  Niagara.  It  fell  a  vic 
tim,  in  the  last  war,  to  the  burning  rapacity  of  British 
soldiery.  The  structures  of  art  cannot  withstand  the 
power  of  the  fiery  element  ;  and  when  an  enemy 
cannot  conquer  men  by  courage  they  may  destroy  their 
habitations  by  conflagration.  The  capitals  of  Europe 
have,  the  most  of  them,  been  in  possession  of  the  illus 
trious  exile  at  St.  Helena ;  but  when  in  his  power,  he 
never  subjected  them  to  conflagration.  Since  the  war, 
the  enterprizing  citizens  of  this  place  have,  in  some 
measure,  repaired  the  devastations  committed  upon  it 
by  a  foe,  whose  ferocity  and  barbarism  would  have  dis 
graced  Vandals. 

The  President  proceeded  to  Detroit,  throggh  Lake 
Erie. 

He  could  not  have  forgotten  the  gallant  PERRY.  He 
gained  the  first  victory  upon  this  lake  over  a  British 
squadron,  in  modern  naval  warfare.  Other  American 
commanders  upon  the  ocean  had  conquered  single- 
handed  ;  but  Perry  sat  the  first  example  of  conquer 
ing  a  British  fleet  in  American  waters.  The  facts  rela- 


264  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

tive  to  this  victory  are  familiar  with  every  reader,  and 
the  fame  of  Perry  and  his  crew,  is  resounded  by  every 
American.  He  was  the  first  American  officer  who 
followed  the  example  of  Nelson,  in  fighting  a  passage 
through  the  line  of  an  hostile  fleet ;  arid  was  the  first  in 
our  country  who  made  the  hazardous  attempt  success 
ful. 

While  at  Fort  Niagara,  the  President  received  a  de 
monstration  of  respect,  as  unexpected,  as  it  was  no 
vel.  The  British  officers,  at  Fort  George,  sent  a  depu 
tation  to  him,  requesting  the  honour  of  waiting  upon 
him,  and  tendering  to  him  the  homage  of  their  respect. 
The  President,  with  his  usual  urbanity,  acknowledged 
the  high  sense  he  felt  for  the  honour  intended  him  ; 
and  shewed  that  he  acknowledged  the  sentiment  con 
tained  in  that  unparalleled  state  paper,  "  THE  DECLARA 
TION  OF  AMERICAN  INDEPENDENCE,"  that  though  Ame 
ricans  and  Englishmen  must  be  "  enemies  in  war,"  they 
can  be  "  in  peace,  friends."  Haste  to  return  to  the 
seat  of  government,  compelled  him  to  decline  the  ho 
nour  intended  him. 

The  President  left  this  interesting  section  of  our 
country  for  Detroit,  with  feelings  not  to  be  described. 

Upon  his  arrival  at  Detroit,  the  President  reached 
a  place,  the  possession  of  which  was  deemed  of  the 
highest  importance  by  the  French  government  when 
the  Canadas  were  held  by  it.  It  was  so  deemed  by  the 
Briti-Mi  government  in  the  revolutionary  war  ;  by  that 
government  was  retained,  in  violation  of  treaty,  after 
the  peace  of  1783,  and  was  fin  illy  surrendered  to  the 
L  eel  States  in  the  administration  of  ADA.MS.  In  the 
commencement  of  the  second  war  for  independence, 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  205 

it  again  became  the  scene  of  national  contest,  or  rather, 
the  scene  of  national  degradation,  by  the  disgraceful  man 
ner  in  which  it  was  surrendered  by  the  American  com- 
maader.  It  is  pusillanimous  to  exult  over  a  great  man 
fallen  ;  and  it  is  painful  to  reflect,  that  Hull,  one  of  the 
favourites  of  WASHINGTON — a  revolutionary  hero, 
should  have  tarnished  his  escutcheon  by  fear,  favorit 
ism,,  or  cowardice.  The  surrender  of  Detroit  to  Gen. 
Brock,  a  gallant,  a  generous,  and  afterwards  a  fallen  foe, 
without  an  effort  to  defend  it,  affected  the  proud  feel 
ings  of  Americans,  more  than  any  disaster  in  that  war. 
To  fall  in  the  field,  by  the  fortune  of  war  ;  to  be  tor 
tured  by  savages  ;  to  have  our  habitations  burned  over 
our  heads,  are  consequences  of  war  with  Britain  ;  the 
tears,  and  the  gratitude  of  Americans,  are  the  reward 
of  such  who  thus  suffer.  But  to  see  a  gallant  regiment, 
like  the  4th,  compelled,  without  a  contest,  to  yield  to  a 
foe  within  their  power  ;  with  arms  in  their  hands,  that 
had  conquered  at  Tippacanoe,  is  suffering  to  a  republi 
can  soldier,  more  poignant  than  death  and  torture.  In 
dignation  at  the  loss  of  national  character,  may  have 
called  forth  imprecations  too  severe  against  the  unfor 
tunate  Hull.  But  to  see  gallant  men,  like  MILLER  and 
CASS,  compelled  to  surrender  their  swords,  or  break 
them,  without  the  liberty  of  wielding  them  over  a  sub 
mitting  foe,  is  humiliating — is  excruciating  in  the  ex 
treme. 

Detroit  is  situated  upon  a  river  of  that  name,  about 
twenty  miles  north  of  Lake  Erie.     In   1805  it  was  al 
most  wholly  destroyed  by  tire  ;  but,  like  Bu/aloe,  which 
Z 


266  PRESIDENT'S  TOUK. 

fell  a  victim  to  British  flames,  it  is  rapidly  regaining  its 
beauty  and  its  consequence. 

"  Major  Larned,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  the  ter 
ritory,  tendered  the  President  their  congratulations  for 
his  safe  arrival,  and  their  sincere  wishes  for  his  health 
and  prosperity,  to  which  the  President  returned  his 
thanks.  The  utmost  order  was  observed,  and  the 
strongest  manifestations  of  respect  for  our  worthy  Chief 
Magistrate  exhibited. 

The  troops  of  this  post  were  reviewed  by  the  Presi 
dent.  Gen.  Brown  and  other  distinguished  gentlemen 
of  the  army  were  present.  The  appearance  of  the 
troops,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  performed  several 
handsome  manceuvres  reflect  much  honour  upon  Col. 
Smith  and  the  officers  of  his  command. 

After  the  review,  the  sword,  voted  by  the  legislature 
of  New-York,  to  General  Macomb,  was  presented  him 
by  Governour  Cass,  (the  agent  for  the  committee  ap 
pointed  by  the  legislature  to  present  the  sword) — The 
presentation  was  witnessed  by  the  distinguished  char 
acters  above  mentioned,  and  a  numerous  body  of  res 
pectable  citizens,  and  accompanied  by  a  very  excel 
lent  speech  from  the  Governour,  to  which  the  General 
returned  a  brief  and  appropriate  answer. 

A  splendid  ball  was  given  by  the  citizens  of  this  city. 
The  President,  Maj.  Gen.  Brown  and  suite,  Major  Gen. 
Macomb,  and  the  officers  at  this  post  honoured  the  as 
sembly  by  their  presence.  Many  ladies  and  gentlemen 
were  introduced  to  the  President.  It  was  much  regret 
ted  that  indisposition  prevented  the  attendance  of  Gov 
ernour  Cass. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  267 

The  ball  was  at  the  house  of  B.  Woodworth,  Esq.  to 
whom  praise  is  due  for  the  arrangements  made  for  the 
entertainment  of* the  company,  which  was  numerous  and 
brilliant. 

On  the  evening  of  the  illumination,  several  transpar 
encies  were  exhibited,  with  appropriate  mottos.  A- 
mong  others  the  following  were  conspicuous  ;  "  Wei- 
coirte  our  nation'1  s  chief"  "  The  pilot  that  weathered  the 
storm." 

The  address  of  the  citizens  of  Detroit  to  the  Presi 
dent  I  have  not  seen  ;  the  following  is  his  answer. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS  ; 

In  the  Tour  in  which  1  am  engaged,  according  to  its 
original  plan,  this  section  of  our  inland  frontier  formed 
an  essential  part ;  and  I  am  happy  to  have  been  able, 
so  far,  to  have  executed  it.  This  is  the  utmost  western 
limit  to  which  1  proposed  to  extend  it.  I  shall  proceed 
hence  along  the  frontier,  and  through  the  state  of  Ohio, 
without  delay,  to  the  seat  of  the  general  government. 

Aware  of  your  exposed  situation,  every  circumstance 
material  to  your  defence  in  the  possible,  but,  I  hope, 
remote  contingency  of  future  wars,  has  a  just  claim  to, 
and  will  receive  my  attention.  For  any  information 
which  you  may  be  able  to  give  me,  on  a  subject  of  such 
high  importance,  I  shall  be  very  thankful. 

In  all  the  advantages  of  your  situation,  in  which  you 
participate  so  largely,  in  those  which  a  kind  Providence 
has  extended  to  our  happy  country,  I,  as  your  fellow- 
citizen,  take  a  deep  interest.  Any  inconveniences  of 
which  you  may  complain,  you  must  be  sensible  cannot  be 
of  long  duration.  Your  establishment  was  of  necessity, 
in  its  origin,  colonial  ;  but  on  a  new  principle.  A  pa 
rental  hand  cherishes  you  in  your  infancy.  Your  com 
mencement  is  founded  in  rights,  not  of  &  personal  nature 
only,  but  of  incipient  sovereignty,  never  to  be  shaken. 
The  national  government  promotes  your  growth,  and 


268  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.   • 

in  so  doing,  from  the  peculiar  felicity  of  our  system, 
promotes  the  growth  and  strength  of  the  nation.  At  a 
future  period,  and  on  conditions  just  and  reasonable, 
you  will  become  a  member  of  the  Union,  with  all  the 
rights  of  the  original  states.  In  the  interim,  the  legis 
lative  body,  composed  of  the  representatives  of  a  free 
people,  your  brethren,  will  ahvays  be  ready  to  extend 
a  just  and  proper  remedy  to  any  inconvenience  to 
which  you  may  be  exposed. 

I  partake  with  you  in  the  most  heartfelt  satisfaction, 
at  the  present  general  prosper) ty  of  our  country,  and 
concur  in  sentiment  respecting  the  causes  to  which  it 
may  be  justly  ascribed.  By  the  termination  of  party 
divisions,  and  the  union  of  all  our  citizens  in  the  sup 
port  of  our  republican  government  and  institutions,  of 
which  I  entertain,  as  1  trust,  a  well  founded  hope,  I 
anticipate  a  long  continuance  of  all  the  blessings  which 
we  now  enjoy. 

For  your  kind  reception  I  offer  you  my  grateful  ac 
knowledgement. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

To  A.  EDWARDS,  Esq.  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trus 
tees,  City  of  Detroit. 

At  Detroit,  the  President  effected  the  great  and  lead 
ing  object  of  his  laborious  Tour — viewing  the  points 
upon  the  seaboard,  and  upon  the  northern  and  western 
frontier,  most  exposed  to  the  enemy,  the  better  to 
enable  him  to  devise  the  most  efficient  methods  of  de 
fending  them. 

He  commenced  his  return  to  Washington  through  the 
interior  of  the  State  of  OHIO. 

This  state  is  one  of  the  younger  sisters  of  the  Amer 
ican  family  ;  and,  as  it  sometimes  happens  in  the  fami 
lies  of  our  species,  the  younger  has  become  a  successful 
rival  to  some  of  the  elder  ones.  Less  than  half  a  cen 
tury  ago,  this  important  state  was  wholly  possessed  by 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUK.  26P 

the  savages  of  the  wilderness.  Where  the  untutored 
and  ferocious  natives  of  America  roved  about,  seeking 
a  precarious  subsistence  from  hunting  and  fishing,  there 
are  now  cultivated  fields,  and  beautiful  villages.  Where 
the  war  dance  was  performed,  and  the  horrid  yells  of 
barbarians  echoed  through  the  forests,  the  refinements 
of  civilized  society,  and  the  language  of  science  and  lit 
erature  are  enjoyed. 

Although  the  philanthropist  may  sigh  and  weep  for 
the  injuries  which  the  almost  exterminated  aborigines 
of  North  America  once  suffered — although  the  hero 
may  admire  the  exalted  courage  of  the  Alknomocks,  the 
Logans,  and  the  Tecumsehs  of  the  American  natives  ; 
yet  the  statesman,  the  moralist  and  the  Christian,  will 
unite  in  rejoicing  that  the  immense  territory  of  our 
Republic,  which,  two  centuries  since,  gave  subsistence 
to  but  a  small  number  of  savages,  is  now  the  abode  of 
ten  millions  of  civilized  and  happy  beings,  originating 
from  the  eastern  world,  where,  from  its  crowded  pop 
ulation,  and  the  tyranny  of  its  governours,  men  could 
hardly  sustain  life  or  enjoy  it. 

The  state  of  Ohio  is  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
square.  The  settlement  of  it  commenced  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  its  inhabitants  are 
principally  from  New- England.  They  carried  with 
them  their  eriterprize,  their  learning,  their  morals,  and 
their  habits,  and  have  suddenly  given  this  interesting 
state  an  important  rank  in  the  constellation  of  the  A- 
merican  Union. 

But  few  portions  of  the  country  are  more  finely  or 
advantageously  watered,  than  Ohio.     The  Muskingum, 
Hokhocking,  Sciota,  Great  and  Little  Miami  fa\\  into  the 
Z  2 


270  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

beautiful  Ohio  river.  The  Cayahoga,Sandusky,  Miami. 
of  the  Luke  and  Grand  river  empty  themselves  into 
Lake  Erie. 

This  state  was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1802,  and, 
in  1810,  contained  nearly  250,000  inhabitants,  which 
are  said  probably  to  have  doubled  since  that  period. 

In  his  itinerary  progress  through  this  state,  altho'  the 
high  duties  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  rendered  it  indis 
pensably  necessary  that  the  President  should  reach  the 
seat  of  government  with  all  possible  expedition,  he  was 
every  where  received  with  marked  attention  ;  address 
ed  with  so  much  feeling  and  surrounded  by  such  an  ad 
miring  population,  that  he  was  almost  compelled  to 
fight  his  passage  through  the  ranks  of  his  friends,  to  his 
home. 

I  cannot  omit  the  deeply  interesting  address  of  the 
citizens  of  Lancaster. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  citizens  of  Lancaster,  in  common  with  the  peo 
ple  of  the  United  States,  hasten  to  express  their  felicita 
tions  upon  receiving  amongst  them  the  man  to  whom 
a  nation  of  freemen  have  confided  their  government, 
their  constitution,  and  their  laws.  They  have  observed, 
with  increasing  interest,  your  progress  through  our 
country,  the  admiration  elicited  by  your  laborious  and 
important  services,  and  intimations  of  that  unanimity  of 
which  they  hope  it  will  be  productive.  If  in  your  re 
ception  here,  we  cannot,  from  the  infont  state  of  this 
part  of  the  Union,  exhibit  the  highest  refinements  of 
the  rno^t  polished  society,  we  flatter  ourselves  that  the 
oil'1 ''ings  of  the  West  are  accompanied  with  warm  and 
honest  feelings  for  the  honour  thus  voluntarily  done  us  ; 
and  -vith  affection  for  him,  who  in  this  season  of  exami 
nation  has  not  overlooked  us.  We  form  apart,  a  small 
part  indeed,  of  the  body  politic,  but  like  the  rest  of  our 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  271 

iellow  citizens  over  whose  hearts  as  well  as  interests 
you  preside,  we  would  claim  the  privilege  of  express 
ing  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation,  our  great  sat 
isfaction  for  his  coming,  in  the  intervals  of  public  busi 
ness,  amongst  a  people  with  whom  he  cannot  be  too 
well  acquainted.  The  rising  importance  of  this  wes 
tern  world,  your  excellency  cannot  fail  to  notice  ;  and 
its  citizens  feel  an  additional  confidence  that  the  ulti 
mate  information  which  this  journey  IIEIS  enabled  you 
to  collect,  will  be  used  for  its  benefit  and  protection. 
As  the  theatre  of  the  last  war,  it  has  claimed  and  re 
ceived,  and  in  all  probability,  as  the  theatre  of  a  future 
war,  it  will  still  claim  and  receive  the  watchful  attention 
of  the  government.  If  in  future  your  excellency,  or 
any  other  in  whom  the  devolution  of  the  Presidency  will 
have  created  the  same  interest  in  connection  with  the 
same  responsibility,  shall  again  traverse  the  land  they 
govern,  the  citizens  of  Ohio,  trust,  that  in  the  improve 
ments  which  the  wants  of  the  country  may  require, 
and  which  your  experience  and  ability  may  suggest, 
you,  or  your  successor  may  witness  memorials  more 
durable  than  brass  of  this  timely  and  judicious  itinera 
tion.  Even  now  the  nations  of  Europe  may  see  that 
he  who  has  been  raised  to  the  highest  elevation  in  the 
power  of  his  countrymen  to  confer,  is,  wherever  he 
goes,  met  with  confidence,  and  parted  from  with  regret. 
That  your  administration  may  greatly  contribute  to 
the  promotion  of  the  best  interests  and  welfare  of  our 
common  country  ;  that  you,  individually,  may  enjoy  all 
the  happiness  of  which  humanity  is  susceptible  ;  and 
when  you  have  laid  down  the  burden  of  government, 
be  crowned  with  the  plaudits  of  a  fr  e  .rsd  virtuous 
people,  is  the  ardent  wish  of  the  citizens  of  Lancaster 
and  its  vicinity. 

PHILEMON  BKECHKR, 

Chairman  of  the  Committee. 

The  President,  with  his  usual  facilit}',  elegance  and 
propriety,  extemporaneously  answered  this  address  ; 
showing  the  deep  interest  he  took  in  the  progress  of 
improvement  in  this  section  of  the  Union. 


2762  PRESIDENT'S   TOUR.. 

"  On  Saturday,  the  twenty-third  of  August,  the 
President  arrived  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  accompanied 
by  generals  Brown  and  Macomb,  and  escorted  by  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements.  A-»  address  was  pre 
sented  to  him,  to  which  he  returned  an  appropriate 
answer.  He  passed  the  Sabbath  of  the  24th  at  that 
place. 

On  Monday  the  25th,  he  arrived  at  Columbus,  where 
he  was  met  by  the  Governour  of  Ghio,  and  received 
an  Address  from  the  Corporation,  to  which  he  made  an 
affectionate  and  dignified  verbal  reply. 

On  Tuesday,  he  arrived  at  the  boundary  of  Picka- 
way  county  ;  where  he  was  received  by  a  deputation, 
and  escorted  by  a  troop  of  horse.  He  lodged  at  Holmes' 
tavern. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  the  President  arrived  at 
Circleville ;  was  addressed  by  the  Corporation,  and 
returned  an  answer  which  won  all  the  hearts  of  his 
hearers.  He  then  continued  his  journey  under  an  es 
cort  of  cavalry. 

At  the  boundary  of  Ross  country,  he  was  met  by  a 
deputation  of  the  Corporation  of  Chillicothe,  and  a  large 
number  of  gentlemen  on  horseback,  who  escorted  him 
to  the  Governour's  residence  on  Prospect-hill,  where 
he  spent  the  night. 

On  Thursday  the  President  was  escorted  into  Chilli- 
cothe,  and  was  received  by  the  Corporation,  when 
LEVIN  BELT,  Esq.  the  Mayor,  delivered  to  him  the  fol 
lowing  Address. 

TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

SIR — The  citizens  of  Chillicothe  have  directed  me 
to  present  you  their  most  cordial  welcome. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  273 

The  progress  of  the  arts  and  sciences  has  not  reach 
ed,  in  our  state,  the  height  which  they  possess  in  some 
of  our  sister  states — but  our  love  of  country  and  devot- 
edness  to  her  welfare  is  not  surpassed  by  any.  The 
plain  reception  of  our  Chief  Magistrate  is  consonant, 
we  hope,  with  his  republican  principles.  We  are  con 
vinced  that  nothing  can  add  more  to  the  strong  cement 
of  union,  than  the  presence  and  recognition  of  its  mov 
ing  power.  The  interchange  of  citizens  and  the  ex 
change  of  civilities  and  attachments  between  the  parts 
and  the  whole,  connected  in  the  person  ofthe  President, 
forms  a  barrier.to  civil  feuds  and  a  strong  hold  in  times 
of  adversity  and  foreign  aggression. 

In  this  country,  which,  when  a  wilderness,  attracted 
your  early  and  persevering  attention,  you  may  now 
trace  the  footpath  of  industry  and  the  highway  of  enter- 
prize  ;  and  in  your  passing  through  it,  the  expressions 
of  public  opinion  are  the  guarantee  of  its  ready  compli 
ance  with  any  duties  that  may  be  required. 

We  can  only  reiterate  the  hope  and  confidence  which 
we  possess,  that  the  splendid  commencement  of  your 
Presidential  career  will  be  exceeded  only  by  the  mild 
and  beneficial  influence  it  will  produce  on  our  political 
relations  after  your  retirement. 

Accept  our  wishes,  that,  when  you  shall  have  com 
pleted  your  course,  the  evening  of  your  life  may  be  as 
serene  and  happy,  as  its  morning  was  eventful. 

The  reply  ofthe  President  was  "  elegant  and  im 
pressive." 

Chiliicothe  has,  for  sometime,  been  the  seat  of  gov 
ernment  for  the  state  of  Ohio.  It  is  situated  upon  the 
Sciota  river,  forty-tive  miles  from  its  junction  with  the 
Ohio.  It  is  handsomely  built  upon  the  west  bank. 
Prospect-hill,  the  residence  of  the  governour,  is  a  de 
lightful  eminence,  and  commands  a  charming  view  of 
the  picturesque  country  around  it.  Should  this  part 


274  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

of  the  state  progress  in  settlement,  and  advance  in  taste 
as  rapidly  as  it  has  recently  done,  it  will  become  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  sections  of  the  state  of  Ohio.  There 
are,  in  this  place,  a  number  of  flourishing  manufacto 
ries  ;  three  edifices  for  public  worship  ;  a  state  house, 
in  which  the  legislative  power  make  laws  ;  a  court 
house,  in  which  the  judiciary  expound  them  ;  and  a 
prison  for  the  punishment  of  those  who  violate  them. 
Great  towns  can  claim  but  little  more. 

"  On  his  arrival  at  Zanesville,  (Ohio)  he  was  met 
and  greeted  with  many  welcomes  by  the  citizens  of 
that  town  and  Putnam,  who  jointly  appointed  a  commit 
tee  to  prepare  an  address,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy: 

TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  citizen?  of  Zanesville  and  Putnam,  through 
this  committee,  embrace  with  sincere  pleasure  the  oc 
casion  of  tendering  to  you  their  best  wishes,  and  a  cor 
dial  welcome  on  your  safe  arrival  at  this  place. 

Sensible  that  we  have  little  to  offer  which  can  be  in 
teresting  to  our  Chief  Magistrate,  save  the  spontaneous 
affection  and-  high  regard  which  a  free,  independent 
and  republican  people  entertain  for  the  distinguished 
citizen  whom  they  have  voluntarily  chosen  to  preside 
over  the  councils  of  this  nation,  and  whose  admini-tra- 
tion  has  commenced  under  the  most  favourable  auspi 
ces  ;  we  forbear  to  fatigue  your  attention  by  entering 
into  a  detail  of  the  various  and  important  views  neces 
sarily  connected  with  the;  occasion  and  the  time. 

We,  however,  congratulate  you  on  the  fortunate  cir 
cumstances  that  have  combined  to  place  the  American 
Republic  in  a  more  exalted  station  among  the  nations  of 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  275 

the  earth,  at  the  commencement  of  your  administration, 
than  at  any  former  period  during  the  administrations  of 
your  distinguished  predecessors. 

Our  confidence  in  your  wisdom  and  fidelity  to  dis 
charge  the  high  duties  of  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  nation 
of  freemen,  is  founded  not  only  in  the  zeal  and  ability 
with^vhich  you  have  supported  and  defended  the  best 
interests  of  the  American  nation,  during  a  long  life  of 
official  labour,  but,  in  the  motives  that  have  induced 
your  present  Tour,  in  which  we  di=cover  the  most  con 
clusive  evidence  of  your  intention  to  qualify  yourself, 
in  an  eminent  degree,  to  watch  over  the  destinies  of  a 
great,  free,  and  happy  people  ;  and  we  trust  that  the 
benefits  to  be  derived  from  a  practical  view  of  the  dif 
ferent  sections  of  the  union,  will  amply  compensate 
the  sacrifice  of  personal  ease,  through  the  additional 
knowledge  acquired  of  the  means  necessary  to  pro 
mote  the  public  welfare. 

The  novel  spectacle  of  beholding  the  first  Magistrate 
of  a  great  people,  traversing  an  "extensive  empire  in 
pursuit  of  such  information,  as  will  best  enable  him  to 
discharge  the  important  duties  incident  to  his  station, 
affords  the  strongest  assurances  of  his  entire  devotion 
to  the  best  interests  of  his  country,  and  excites  in  the 
minds  of  his  constituents,  the  most  agreeable  sensa 
tions  ;  and  amongst  the  incidents  which  will  be  recol 
lected  with  pride  and  pleasure  by  the  inhabitants  of  our 
villages,  none  will  leave  a  stronger  or  more  agreeable 
impression,  than  the  cordial  visit  of  their  Chief  Ma 
gistrate,  and  his  distinguished  suite. 

The  western  people,  ever  faithful  to  the  principles 
of  liberty  and  the  integrity  of  the  Union,  will  generally 
rejoice  in  the  presence  of  their  Chief  Magistrate,  whose 
anxiety  for  the  public  weal  has  brought  him  among 
them.  And  though  our  country  at  present  exhibits  but 
a  faint  view  of  cultivation  and  refinement,  we  trust  our 
internal  resources  and  natural  advantages,  with  a  dispo 
sition  further  to  improve  them  by  industry  and  art,  \vill 
entitle  us  to  a  full  share  of  the  patronage  and  fostering 
care  of  the  executive  government. 

Sincerely  hoping  that  you  may  enjoy  health  and  com- 


278  PRESIDENT  S    TOUR. 

Zancsville  is  situated  upon  the  west  side  of  the  river 
Muskingum,  and  is  the  capital  of  Muskingum  county. 
It  is  very  advantageously  situated  for  manufacturing 
the  various  articles  the  necessities  of  the  adjoining 
country  call  for.  A  company  is  formed  in  this  town  to 
prosecute  the  business  with  vigour.  The  productions 
of  the  surrounding  country  will  enable  this  company  to 
manufacture  paper,  glass,  iron,  hemp,  flax,  &c.  to  a 
very  great  extent.  It  has  a  Methodist  church,  an  ele 
gant  court  house,  and  over  2,000  inhabitants. 

Putnam  is  situated  in  the  vicinity  of  Zanesville  ;  has 
an  excellent  soil,  and  is  rapidly  acquiring  that  conse 
quence,  which  a  fertile  country,  inhabited  by  an  enter 
prising  and  industrious  people,  secures  to  itself. 

The  President  prosecuted  his  Tour,  with  great  ex 
pedition,  and  arrived  at  Cannonsburgh  upon  the  5th 
September. 

He  here  had  the  gratification  of  an  interview  with 
the  faculty  of  the  "  original  seat  of  literature  in  the, 
westS"  which  bears  a  name  dear  to  the  friends  of  Amer 
ican  freedom — venerated  by  the  sons  of  science,  and 
admired  by  the  philosophers  of  the  old  and  new  world 
— JEFFERSON.  The  address  from  the  corporation  of 
JEFFERSON  COLLEGE,  (delivered  by  the  President  of  it,) 
is  incorporated,  with  the  highest  pleasure,  in  this  work. 
The  President's  answer,  although  not  by  him  presented 
in  writing,  is  undoubtedly  very  accurately  reported. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  faculty  of  Jefferson  College,  together  with 
the  citizens  of  this  borough,  rejoice  in  the  opportunity 
of  presenting  their  respectful  salutations  to  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  nation.  We,  with  our  fellow  citizens 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  279 

in  other  sections  of  the  union,  view  your  Tour  through 
the  different  states  as  a  favourable  indication  of  your  de 
voted  attachment  to  the  real  interests  of  the  people 
over  whom  you  preside.  Under  your  auspices,  we  an 
ticipate  the  rising  splendour  of  our  literary  institutions, 
and  of  all  those  establishments  which  contrbute  to  the 
independence.,  wealth  and  general  prosperity  of  our 
country. 

We  therefore  hail  you,  sir,  upon  your  arrival  at  the 
original  seat  of  literature  in  the  west,  with  sentiments  of 
the  greatest  cordiality  and  respect.  This  was  the  con 
secrated  spot  which  first  gave  birth  to  science  in  this 
western  region.  This  institution,  as  a  college,  was 
founded  in  honour  of  your  illustrious  predecessor,  Mr. 
Jefferson,  in  1802;  and  has  since  been  the  principal 
nursery  of  literature  in  the  western  country. 

Besides  the  common  elementary  course  of  literature, 
it  has  been  the  constant  aim  in  this  institution,  to  in 
spire  the  minds  of  youth  with  those  principles  of  piety 
and  virtue,  with  those  ennobling  sentiments  and  that 
sincere  love  of  truth  and  duty,  which  are  the  greatest 
ornaments  of  human  character,  and  which  are  best  cal 
culated  to  form  the  man  and  the  citizen. 

It  has  been  the  object  of  this  seminary,  according  to 
the  most  enlightened  views  of  human  nature,  and  the 
interests  of  society,  that  we  could  obtain,  to  preserve 
in  close  alliance  the  interests  of  religion  and  learning, 
of  piety  and  virtue,  as  essential  to  the  energy  and  effect 
of  our  political  institutions,  and  as  greatly  subservient 
to  public  order,  harmony  and  liberty.  We  have  ever 
viewed  sound  morality  and  intelligence  as  the  great 
supports  of  free  government,  and  the  principal  guaran 
tee  of  our  rights  and  privileges,  both  civil  and  religious. 

In  this  representation  of  our  views  of  the  general 
object  of  public  education,  and  the  influence  of  sound 
morality  and  science  in  supporting  our  republican  insti 
tutions,  we  are  persuaded  sir,  they  accord  with  your 
own  sentiments,  and  refer  to  objects  which  you  judge 
worthy  of  high  consideration. 

A\7e  present  to  your  view,  sir,  that  portion  of  the 
youth  of  our  country,  which  now  attend  this  institution  ; 


2oQ  PRESIDENTS  TOUR. 

and  we  are  happy  that  we  can  bear  testimony  of  their 
regard  to  the  interesting  objects  of  literary  pursuits,  and 
to  those  attainments  on  which  their  future  usefulness 
depends.  We  indeed  exhibit  an  emblem  of  the  simplici 
ty  of  republican  manners,  which  to  a  man  of  your  dis 
cernment  and  intelligence,  cannot  operate  as  a  dispar 
agement,  provided  we  endeavour  to  cherish  those  gen 
erous  affections,  and  aim  at  those  solid  acquirements, 
which  shall  bind  us  to  our  country,  and  render  us  instru 
mental  in  promoting  its  intere-t  and  strengthening  and 
protecting  its  precious  institutions. 

Permit  us,  with  our  fellow  citizens,  to  congratulate 
you  sir,  upon  the  aupicious  circumstances  which  at 
tend  the  commencement  of  your  administration  ;  cir 
cumstances  which  cannot  fail  to  unite  you  and  the  peo 
ple  together,  and  impress  the  public  mind  with  the  be 
lief  of  your  devoted  attachment  in  the  best  interests  of 
our  common  country.  Accept  o«r  earnest  wishes  and 
prayers  for  its  prosperous  course  and  happy  issue  ;  and 
indulge  us  with  expressing  the  desire  that  when  you 
are  engaged  in  the  appropriate  functions  of  your  high 
station,  you  may  enjoy  the  favour  and  blessing  of  heaven, 
nnd  that  it  may  be  our  privilege  by  fidelity,  and  perse 
verance  in  our  respective  spheres,  under  the  smiles 
of  the  same  beneficent  Providence,  to  co-operate  in 
the  vTork  of  patriotism,  by  diffusing  the  light  of  knowl 
edge  and  the  saving  influence  of  religion  and  morals. 

Cannonsburgh,  Sept.  5th,  1817. 

THE  PRESIDENTS  ANSWER. 

I  thank  you,  Sir,  and  this  Committee,  for  the  respect 
and  friendship  with  which  I  have  been  received  on  my 
arrival  here.  Be  assured,  Sir,  that  I  am  deeply  af 
fected  with  it. 

When  I  first  meditated  this  Tour,  which  was  some 
time  before  I  left  the  seat  of  government,  I  thought  it 
would  be  practicable,  and  it  was  my  desire,  to  perform 
it  nearly  in  the  character  of  a  private  citizen.  But 
finding  my  fellow  citizens  wished  otherwise,  and  every 
where  met  me  with  expressions  of  respect  and  attach- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  281 

ment,  I  yielded  to  their  wishes,  and  have  met  them  with 
the  same  feelings.  In  these  expressions  of  public  re 
gard,  which  my  liumble  services  could  not  inspire,  I 
see  the  fixed  attachment  of  the  people  to  the  principles 
of  our  free  government. 

I  am  happy  in  meeting  with  this  faculty  and  these 
young  men.  The  views  of  the  nature  and  object  of 
public  education  contained  in  your  address,  agree  with 
my  own.  During  rny  Tour  through  an  extensive  coun 
try,.  I  have  met  with  many  similar  institutions,  all  en 
tertaining  nearly  the  same  sentiments  respeciing  the 
instruction  of  youth.  And,  I  ask  you  sir,  in  what  more 
noble  principles  could  they  be  instructed,  than  those  of 
virtue  and  our  holy  religion  ?  These  are  the  most  solid 
bases  on  which  our  free  government  can  rest,  and  that 
they  should  be  instilled  into  the  rising  youth  of  our 
country,  to  whom  its  destinies  are  soon  to  be  consign 
ed  is  of  high  importance.  The  aged  pass  away  in  rapid 
succession  and  give  place  to  the  younger  ;  those  who 
are  now  the  hope  of  their  country  will  soon  become  its 
pride.  Educated  in  these  principles,  we  can,  with 
confidence,  repose  our  free  government  and  the  inter 
ests  of  our  beloved  country  in  their  care,  assured  that 
they  will  preserve,  protect,  and  cherish  them,  and  will 
fill  the  place  of  those  who  have  gone  before  them,  with 
equal  honour  and  advantage.  I  was  led  into  this  sub 
ject,  on  which  I  hive  dwelt,  because  it  is  pleasing  to 
me,  by  the  observations  contained  in  your  address. 

With  respect  to  the  objects  of  .ny  Four,  you  do  me 
justice.  Yo  i  all  know  how  necessary  it  is  that  a  person, 
in  my  station,  should  be  acquainted  with  the  circum 
stances  arid  situation  of  the  country  over  which  he  pre 
sides.  •  To  acquire  this  knowledge,  I  have  visited  our 
marine  coasts  and  inland  frontiers,  parts  most  exposed 
to  invasion.  Having  accomplished  the  objects  of  my 
Tour  to  the  full  extent  I  at  first  contemplated,  to  me 
sir,  it  is  peculiarly  gratifying,  now  on  my  return  to  the 
seat  of  government,  to  be  hailed  with  the  sentiments  of 
approbation  contained  in  your  address. 

To  me  it  is  a  source  of  high  satisfaction,   that  in  all 
the  places  which  I  have  visitfed  in  this  Tour,  I  have 
A  a  2 


282  PRESIDENT'S 

found  the  people  so  generally  united,  and  so  strongly 
attached  to  the  principles  of  our  excellent  constitution. 
In  the  union  of  the  people,  our  government  is  suffi 
ciently  strong,  and  on  this  union  I  confidently  rely.  Our 
government  has  proved  its  strength.  We  have  termi 
nated,  with  honour,  a  war  carried  on  against  a  power 
ful  nation,  and  that  nation  peculiarly  favoured  by  fortu 
nate  circumstances.  Our  army  gained  glory  ;  our  na 
vy  acquired  equal  renown  ;  and  all  classes  of  citizens, 
as  opportunity  offered,  and  where  the  pressure  was 
greatest,  acquitted  themselves  with  honour. 

This  nation  is  now  respectable  for  numbers,  and  more 
respectable  as  an  enlightened  people.  That  its  future 
happiness  and  glory  may  answer  to  its  present  prosper 
ity,  is  my  sincere  desire. 

Be  assured,  Sir,  that  I  shall  always  take  a  deep  inter 
est  in  the  prosperity  of  this  institution.  It  is  known  at 
a  distance  among  scientific  men.  iou  have  chosen  for 
it  a  name  not  unknown  abroad  to  science,  and  which  to 
me  is  peculiarly  interesting.  I  avail  myself  of  this  op 
portunity  of  bearing  my  testimony  to  the  talents,  learn 
ing,  and  great  public  services  of  that  venerable  states 
man  and  philosopher,  whose  name  you  have  prefixed 
to  your  institution. 

Accept,  gentlemen,  my  grateful  acknowledgements 
for  the  kindness  with  which  I  have  been  received,  and 
my  sincere  wishes  for  your  individual  happiness  and 
prosperity. 

Cannonsburgh  is  situated  in  Washington  county,  Pa. 
The  country  oround  it,  is  fertile  and  charming ;  the 
town,  although  small,  is  handsomely  built  ;  and  the  uni 
versity  there  established,  imparts  to  it  a  consequence, 
which  a  well  organized  seminary,  for  the  education 
of  youth,  secures  to  the  place  where  it  is  established. 

After  enjoying  the  delightful  and  exhilirating  inter 
view  at  Cannonsburgh,  the  President  left  that  place, 
and  arrived,  the  same  day,  at  Pittsburgh. 


PRESIDENT'S  xoyR.  283 

At  this  place,  the  President  found  himself  at  the  head 
of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  streams,  probably,  in  the 
universe.     It  has  not  yet  been  celebrated  by  the  mus 
es  ;  for  it  has,  for  nearly  six  thousand  years,  rolled,  in 
silent  majesty,  through  the  towering  forests  of  the  new 
•world.    Though  this  mode  of  expression  may  be  deem 
ed  a  solecism,  yet  that  portion  of  the  world  that  has 
re'mained  in  a  state  of  nature,  from  the  time  the  fiat  of 
creative    power   brought  worlds   into   existence,    and 
commanded  light  to  be,  and  it  was,  may  be  called  new, 
when  the  light  of  science  begins  to  shed  its  beams  upon 
its  bosom,  and  the  production  of  art  becomes  the  hand 
maid  of  nature.     It  would  not  be  the  madness  of  a  de 
ranged    imagination,   to  conclude  that  this  stream,  in 
process  of  time,  will  become  as  much  celebrated  as  the 
Ganges  of  Asia  ;  the  Nile  of  Africa,  and  the  Danube 
of  Europe.     In  giving  this  future  importance  to  the 
Ohio,  the  Mississippi  and  the  Missouri   cannot  be  for 
gotten,    as  exceeding  it  in  length  arid  in  importance. 
These  astonishing  streams  may,  hereafter,  as  civiliza 
tion  progresses  in  the  wilds  of  the  American  Republic, 
become  rivals  to  the  Ohio.     The  expanded  works  of 
nature,  and  the  unceasing  energy  of  Americans,  are 
both  calculated  to   make   that  portion   of  the  Western 
Continent  which  lies   north  of  the  Isthmus  of  Darien, 
the  most  important  theatre  upon  which  men  have  ex 
erted  the  faculties  belonging  to  them. 

The  Ohio  first  takes  that  name  at  the  city  of  Pitts 
burgh.  All  the  great  streams  in  North  America  still  re 
tain  the  names  given  to  them  by  the  natural  proprietors 
of  the  soil  ;  and  many  of  tiie  States  have  taken  th^lr 
names  from  these  majestic  rivers. 


#84  PRESIDENT'S  TOUK. 

Tlie  Monongahela  and  the  Alleghany,  each  seeking  ;r 
passage  to  the  Atlautic,  unite  at  Pittsburgh,  and  form 
the.  Ohio.  Their  united  water?,  with  the  tributary 
streams  that  flow  into  it,  pour  into  the  Mississippi,  and, 
through  that,  reach  the  ocean,  at  Nerv-Orleans.  The 
length  of  this  noble  river,  from  its  head  at  Pittsburgh, 
to  its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi,  is  1100  miles.  It 
is  navigable  to  Pittsburgh,  in  the  time  of  a  fresh,  for 
square  rigged  vessels. 

"On  Friday,  the  5th,  the  citizens  of  Pittsburgh 
were  gratified  by  the  long  anticipated  arrival  of  the 
President.  On  this  occasion  we  believe  that  no  exer 
tion  was  spared,  and  no  mark  of  attention  omitted,  to 
render  the  reception  of  our  distinguished  visitor  cor 
dial  and  respectful.  A  few  miles  from  the  city,  he 
was  met  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangement,  and  con 
ducted  to  the  ferry,  where  an  elegant  barge,  rowed  by 
four  sea-captains,  waited  his  approach.  As  he  descend 
ed  the  hill  to  the  river,  a  national  salute  was  fired  from 
the  city,  and  a  band  of  music  attended  the  barge  while 
crossing.  On  landing,  he  was  received  with  military 
honours  by  Capt.  Irwin's  company  of  volunteer  light 
infantry,  and  by  the  citizens,  with  loud  acclamations. 
A  couch  with  four  horses  waited  to  convey  him  to  his 
lodgings,  but  observing  that  the  authorities  of  the  city 
were  on  foot,  he  chose  to  walk  also. 

He  was  conducted  to  the  house  of  William  Wilkins, 
Esq.  where  preparations  had  been  making  for  his  re 
ception. 

*  On  the  following  morning,  the  municipality  of  the  city 
waited  on  him,  and  the  following  address  was  delivered 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  285 

by  James  Ross,  Esq.  President  of  the  select  council, 
and  chairman  of  the  committee  of  arrangement. 

TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT    OP  THE    UNITED    STA.TES. 

MR.  PRESIDENT  : 

The  select  and  common  councils,  the  mayor,  alder 
men,  and  citizens  of  Pittsburgh,  have  intrusted  me  to  of 
fer  you  their  congratulations  and  most  cordial  welcome 
on  your  arrival  in  this  city. 

We  rejoice  at  seeing  a  President  of  the  United  States 
for  the  iirst  time  upon  the  western  waters  ;  and  the 
interest  we  feel  in  this  visit,  is  greatly  enhanced  by  the 
lively  recollection  that  we  see  in  his  person,  the  early, 
uniform,  active  friend  of  the  western  country,  who  was 
finally  successful  in  securing  to  us  the  invaluable  right 
of  free  communication  with  the  ocean  through  the  Mis 
sissippi  ;  an  attainment  second  in  magnitude  only  to 
national  independence  itself,  and  inseparably  connected 
with  it. 

We  anticipate  the  happiest  results  from  your  person 
al  examination  of  the  frontier,  as  wel]  as  of  the  interior 
of  this  portion  of  the  union  ;  your  confidence  in  the 
resources  of  the  great  republic  over  which  you  preside, 
will  be  strengthened  by  observing  our  unexampled  in 
crease  of  population,  our  habitual  industry,  our  progess 
in  agriculture,  manufactures,  and  the  useful  arts,  and 
the  immense  region  of  fertility  which  yet  remains  a  pub 
lic  stock. 

While  the  people  witness  your  paternal  attention  to 
their  local  advantages  and  wants,  as  well  as  to  their  ex 
ternal  safety,  and  see  the  public  good  anxiously  sought 
out  and  cherished  in  the  west  as  well  as  the  east,  with 
out  distinctions  of  persons  or  places,  we  are  perfectly 
assured,  that  their  affections,  as  well  as  their  duty,  •-,  ill 
every  where  unite  them  in  support  of  the  measures 
you  may  find  most  conducive  to  the  public  interest  dur 
ing  your  administration. 

We  ardently  wish  you  the  continuance  of  long  life 


286  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

and  health  to  pursue  the  course  you  have  so  auspi 
ciously  begun,  and  that  at  the  end  of  your  career  you 
may  receive  and  enjoy  the  richest  reward  of  a  patriot's 
toils — national  gratitude  for  having  augmented  national 
happiness. 

With  great  pleasure  I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  to 
renew  to  you'  the  assurances  of  my  own  very  high  con 
sideration  and  respect. 

To  which  the  President  returned  the  following  Answer. 

TO  JAMES  ROSS,  Esq. 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  deputed  by  the  city  of 
Pittsburgh. 

SIR — Returning  from  a  Tour  along  a  large  portion  of 
our  Atlantic  and  inland  frontiers,  which  was  undertaken 
from  a  sense  of  duty,  I  am  happy  to  pass  through  this 
town,  and  have  been  much  gratified  by  the  friendly  re 
ception  which  has  been  given  me  by  the  Select  and 
Common  Councils,  and  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and 
Citizens  of  Pittsburgh. 

Knowing  no  difference  between  the  just  claims  of 
one  portion  of  our  country  and  another,  I  consider  it 
my  duty  to  attend  equally  to  the  rights  and  interests  of 
the  whole.  It  is  on  this  principle  that  I  undertook  this 
Tour,  and  that  I  shall  extend  it  hereafter,  should  I  be 
blessed  with  health,  to  other  parts  of  our  union. 

Having,  from  very  early  life,  in  every  station  I  have 
held,  used  my  best  efforts  to  obtain  for  my  fellow  citi 
zens  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  no  one  could 
be  more  gratified  than  I  was,  at  its  final  accomplish 
ment.  The  favourable  opinion  which  you  kindly  ex 
press  of  my  services,  in  support  of  that  great  right,  is 
peculiarly  gratifying  to  me  ;  I  owe  it  however,  to  can 
dour  to  state,  that  I  have  no  other  merit  than  that  of  an 
honest  zeal  exerted  in  its  support,  in  obedience  to  the 
instructions  of  the  government,  under  which  I  acted, 
and  in  harmony  with  my  venerable  associate  in  the 
treaty  which  secured  it. 

I  have  seen,  with  great  interest,  in  this  Tour,  the 


287 

most  satisfactory  proofs  of  the  rapid  growth  of  this 
portion  of  our  union  ;  of  the  industry  of  its  inhabit 
ants  ;  and  of  their  progress  in  agriculture,  manufac 
tures,  and  the  useful  arts.  I  have 'derived  great  satis 
faction,  also,  from  the  opportunity  it  has  afforded  me, 
of  forming  a  more  just  estimate,  than  I  could  other 
wise  have  obtained,  of  the  vast  amount,  great  fertility, 
and  value  of  public  lands,  yet  to  be  disposed  of. 

Devoted  to  the  principles  of  our  free  republican 
constitution  ;  incapable  of  discriminating  between  the 
rights  and  interests  of  the  eastern  and  western  sections 
of  our  union ;  and  having  no  friendships  to  serve,  or 
resentments  to  gratify,  at  the  expense  of  the  public 
welfare,  I  shall  steadily  pursue  these  objects,  by  such 
a  course  of  impartial  and  upright  policy,  as  shall  ap 
pear,  according  to  my  best  judgment,  most  likely  to  se 
cure  them.  Acting  on  these  principles,  I  shall  always 
calculate  with  confidence  on  the  support  of  my  fellow 
citizens  in  such  measures  as  may  be  found  conducive  to 
the  public  welfare. 

Permit  me,  Sir,  to  offer  through  you  to  the  Select 
and  Common  Councils,  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  citi 
zens  of  Pittsburgh,  my  best  wishes  for  their  welfare, 
and  to  request  you  to  be  assured  of  my  great  considera 
tion,  and  respect  for  you  personally. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

On  the  same  morning  the  President  visited  the  United 
States'  arsenal  near  this  place.  On  Sunday  morning 
he  attended  the  Episcopal  church,  and  in  the  afternoon 
the  Presbyterian  meeting. 

Pittsburgh  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  rivers 
Monongahelaand  Alleghany,  where  the  Ohio  begins  its 
passage  to  the  Mississippi. 

When  every  consideration  is  taken  into  view,  it 
would  not  be  deemed  a  groundless  assertion,  to  say  that 
Pittsbugh  is  more  advantageously  situated  than  any  other 
town  in  the  northwestern  section  of  the  union.  Sur- 


8  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

rounded  by  a  fertile  country  upon  the  banks  of  the  Al- 
leghany,  Monongahela,  and  Ohio,  which  is  rapidly  ad 
vancing  in  population  and  agriculture — enjoying  every 
advantage  for  manufactures,  and  the  benefits  of  naviga 
tion,  2000  miles  to  New-Orleans — situated  in  a  latitude 
where  the  climate  is  congenial  to  almost  every  constitu 
tion — inhabited,  principally,  by  the  robust,  persevering 
and  ingenious  sons  of  New-England,  it  wrould  not  be  ex 
travagant  to  anticipate,  that,  at  no  distant  period,  Pitts 
burgh  will  hold  a  rank  with  the  first  interior  towns  in 
the  northern  section  of  the  American  Republic.  The 
case  and  facility  with  which  the  great  streams  of  North 
America  can  be  navigated  by  the  almost  boundless  pow 
er  of  steam,  enables  that  portion  of  citizens  who  inhab 
it  their  banks,  to  find  a  ready  market  for  their  surplus 
produce,  and  to  bring  to  their  doors  the  productions  of 
every  quarter  of  the  globe.  The  want  of  science,  and 
of  experience,  has  recently  occasioned  some  melancho 
ly  accidents  in  this  mode  of  navigation  ;  danger,  howev 
er,  is  constantly  diminishing  as  the  conductors  of  steam 
vessels  acquire  accurate  knowledge  from  correct  prac 
tice. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  Pittsburgh  is  a  new  town. 
It  is  undoubtedly  within  the  memory  of  many  of  the 
living,  when  the  country,  at  the  head  of  the  Ohio,  wai 
a  wilderness.  Those  who  now  traverse  that  part  of 
our  Republic,  and  make  a  tarry  at  this  town,  and  ex 
plore  the  adjoining  country,  will  immediately  come  to 
the  conclusion,  that  from  its  present  appearances,  it 
roust  possess  peculiar  advantages. 

In  the  early  stage?  of  the  settlement  of  the  U.  States, 
accident  or  necessity  gave  importancce  to  some  places, 


TOUR.  28D 

which  now  furnish  evidence  of  nothing  but  ancient  en- 
terprize.  The  horrors  of  savage  warfare  prevented 
settlements  in  places  the  most  favoured  by  nature  in  the 
country,  and  the  fear  of  the  tomahawks  and  the  arrows 
of  its  natives,  rendered  it  hazardous  even  to  explore 
them.  Now  almost  every  part  of  that  portion  of  the 
continent,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  government  of 
the  American  Republic,  is  familiarly  known  ;  and  many 
parts  of  it,  which,  half  a  century  since,  took  the  lead 
in  agriculture,  commerce,  and  manufactures,  are  now 
either  stationary  or  retrograding  ;  while  other  parts 
of  it,  which  were  then  without  the  print  of  an  Ameri 
can's  foot  upon  its  surface,  are  now  the  regions  of  civili 
zation,  industry,  science,  and  taste.  The  time  when 
the  settlement  of  Pittsburgh  commenced  is  not  accurate 
ly  known,  and  cannot  be  mentioned  ;  but  it  is  believed 
not  to  be  forty  years  since.  It  now  contains  eight  ed 
ifices  for  public  worship,  a  court  house  and  prison,  an 
academy,  and  three  banks.  The  manufactories  in  this 
place  are  more  numerous  and  more  various  than  in  ma 
ny  places  three  times  its  age.  It  has  rolling  and  slit 
ting  mills,  flour  and  paper  mills,  woolen  and  wire  fac 
tories,  all  conducted  by  steam.  It  has  manufactories 
for  white  and  green  glass,  for  white  and  red  lead  ;  in 
deed  it  would  be  surprising  to  those  who  have  lived  in 
the  old  part  of  this  new  world,  to  witness  the  great  di 
versity  of  business  prosecuted  here  with  success  by 
the  owners,  and  with  great  advantage  to  the  sur 
rounding  country.  The  population  of  this  place,  at 
this  time,  is  estimated  at  10,000. 

The  President  spent  some  time  in  this  interesting 
Bb 


288  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

rounded  by  a  fertile  country  upon  the  banks  of  the  Al- 
leghany,  Monongahela,  and  Ohio,  which  is  rapidly  ad 
vancing  in  population  and  agriculture — enjoying  every 
advantage  for  manufactures,  and  the  benefits  of  naviga 
tion,  2000  miles  to  New-Orleans — situated  in  a  latitude 
where  the  climate  is  congenial  to  almost  every  constitu 
tion — inhabited,  principally,  by  the  robust,  persevering 
and  ingenious  sons  of  New-England,  it  would  not  be  ex 
travagant  to  anticipate,  that,  at  no  distant  period,  Pitts 
burgh  will  hold  a  rank  with  the  first  interior  towns  in 
the  northern  section  of  the  American  Republic.  The 
ease  and  facility  with  which  the  great  streams  of  North 
America  can  be  navigated  by  the  almost  boundless  pow 
er  of  steam,  enables  that  portion  of  citizens  who  inhab 
it  their  banks,  to  find  a  ready  market  for  their  surplus 
produce,  and  to  bring  to  their  doors  the  productions  of 
every  quarter  of  the  globe.  The  want  of  science,  and 
of  experience,  has  recently  occasioned  some  melancho 
ly  accidents  in  this  mode  of  navigation  ;  danger,  howev 
er,  is  constantly  diminishing  as  the  conductors  of  steam 
vessels  acquire  accurate  knowledge  from  correct  prac 
tice. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  Pittsburgh  is  a  new  town. 
It  is  undoubtedly  within  the  memory  of  many  of  the 
living,  when  the  country,  at  the  head  of  the  Ohio,  was 
a  wilderness.  Those  who  now  traverse  that  part  of 
our  Republic,  and  make  a  tarry  at  this  town,  and  ex 
plore  the  adjoining  country,  will  immediately  come  to 
the  conclusion,  that  from  its  present  appearances,  it 
raust  possess  peculiar  advantages. 

In  the  early  stages  of  the  settlement  of  the  U.  States, 
accident  or  necessity  gave  importancce  to  some  places, 


IJRESIDENT'S  TOUII. 


which  now  furnish  evidence  of  nothing  but  ancient  en- 
terprize.  The  horrors  of  savage  warfare  prevented 
settlements  in  places  the  most  favoured  by  nature  in  the 
country,  and  the  fear  of  the  tomahawks  and  the  arrows 
of  its  natives,  rendered  it  hazardous  even  to  explore 
them.  Now  almost  every  part  of  that  portion  of  the 
continent,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  government  of 
the  American  Republic,  is  familiarly  known  ;  and  many 
parts  of  it,  which,  half  a  century  since,  took  the  lead 
in  agriculture,  commerce,  and  manufactures,  are  now 
either  stationary  or  retrograding  ;  while  other  parts 
of  it,  which  were  then  without  the  print  of  an  Ameri 
can's  foot  upon  its  surface,  are  now  the  regions  of  civili 
zation,  industry,  science,  and  taste.  The  time  when 
the  settlement  of  Pittsburgh  commenced  is  not  accurate 
ly  known,  and  cannot  be  mentioned  ;  but  it  is  believed 
not  to  be  forty  years  since.  It  now  contains  eight  ed 
ifices  for  public  worship,  a  court  house  and  prison,  an 
academy,  and  three  banks.  The  manufactories  in  this 
place  are  more  numerous  and  more  various  than  in  ma 
ny  places  three  times  its  age.  It  has  rolling  and  slit 
ting  mills,  flour  and  paper  mills,  woolen  and  wire  fac 
tories,  all  conducted  by  steam.  It  has  manufactories 
for  white  and  green  glass,  for  white  and  red  lead  ;  in 
deed  it  would  be  surprising  to  those  who  have  lived  in 
the  old  part  of  this  new  world,  to  witness  the  great  di 
versity  of  business  prosecuted  here  with  success  by 
the  owners,  and  with  great  advantage  to  the  sur 
rounding  country.  The  population  of  this  place/^it 
this  time,  is  estimated  at  10,000. 

The  President  spent  some  time  in  this  interesting 
Bb 


21)0  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

town,  and  in  its  vicinity,  examining,  with  minute  atten 
tion,  the  various  manufactories,  admiring  the  surround 
ing  country,  and  enjoying  the  cordial  attachment  of  the 
citizens. 

He  left  this  place  upon  the  10th  September,  and  pros 
ecuted  the  remaining  part  of  his  Tour  with  great  rapid 
ity  to  Washington.  It  is  impossible  to  notice  the  nu 
merous  demonstrations  of  respectful  and  sincere  attach 
ment  every  where  shown  the  President  in  the  long 
range  of  fertile  and  flourishing  country,  from  the  head  of 
the  Ohio,  to  the  city  of  Washington.  His  passage  through 
this  part  of  the  country  was  so  expeditious,  that  the 
people  could  have  but  little  notice  of  his  approach  ;  and 
could  not  display  that  arrangement  in  welcoming  their 
beloved  Chief,  which  many  large  towns,  which  he  ap 
proached  more  slowly  and  visited  more  leisurely,  had 
an  opportunity  to  make.  Indeed  the  President,  having 
for  more  than  three  months,  been  surrounded  by  multi 
tudes  of  citizens  ;  escorted  by  numerous  bodies  of  sol 
diers,  and  formally  addressed  by  numerous  corpora 
tions,  must  have  found  it  a  relief  to  pass  through  a  coun 
try  where  the  people  could  not  bestow  upon  him  any, 
but  the  sudden  and  spontaneous  eifusions  of  admiration. 

The  citizens  of  Hagerstown,  however,  having  ascer 
tained  the  time  when  he  would  reach  that  place,  ad 
dressed  him  as  follows  : 

"  Suitable  arrangements  having  been  made  to  receive 
him  by  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose  ;  the 
following  address,  on  behalf  of  the  citizens,  was  deliv 
ered  by  Colonel  Otho  Williams  •" 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  291 

TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

The  citizens  of  Hagerstown,  by  their  committee  ap- 
pointed.for  that  purpose,  beg  leave  to  welcome  you  to 
this  place,  and  to  offer  you  their  cordial  and  respectful 
salutations.  They  sincerely  unite  with  their  country 
men,  in  the  expressions  of  esteem  and  confidence  to 
which  your  character  and  exalted  station  entitle  you. 
The  visit  with  which  you  are  pleased  to  honour  them, 
is  highly  gratifying,  and  they  are  happy  that  the  Tour 
of  your  Excellency,  undertaken  for  the  promotion  of 
objects  of  great  national  importance,  affords  them  an  op 
portunity  of  bidding  their  Chief  Magistrate  a  cordial 
welcome. 

Whilst  the  arduous  journey  you  have  encountered, 
affords  to  many  of  your  fellow  citizens  the  opportunity 
of  seeing  you,  they  rejoice,  at  the  same  time  in  the  be 
lief  that  the  information,  relative  to  the  great  and  vari 
ous  interests  of  the  United  States,  which  you  have  de 
rived  from  actual  observation,  will  facilitate  your  ar 
rangements  for  their  future  defence  and  security. 

They  unite  their  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  hap 
piness,  and  pray  that  the  blessings  of  heaven  may  at 
tend  you  through  life,  and  that  you  may  have  the  pleas 
ure  of  seeing  our  beloved  country  prosperous  and  hap 
py  under  your  auspices,  and  that  the  course  and  close 
of  your  administration  may  entitle  you  to  the  gratitude 
and  affection  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
respect  of  posterity. 

The  President  left  this  place  upon  the  16th,  and,  up 
on  the  same  day  reached  Fredericktown,  the  seat  of 
justice  for  Frederick  county,  Maryland.  He  here 
reached  a  town,  situated  upon  one  of  the  tributary 
streams  of  the  Potomack,  upon  the  banks  of  which  he 
was  born.  The  citizens  of  this  plac^  welcomed  the 
man  **  the  people  delight  to  honour."  They  addressed 
him  in  the  following  terms  : 


'•'-  *    PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common  Council  of 
Frederick,  just  apprised  of  your  arrival  amongst  them, 
hasten  to  offer  you  their  warmest  congratulations,  on 
your  safe  return,  thus  far,  from  a  Tour,  performed 
from  the  highly  laudable  and  patriotic  motive  of  pro 
moting  your  country's  weal.  Thev  are  also  particu 
larly  gratified,  that  you  have  favoured  them  with  a 
visit,  as  flattering  as  it  was  unexpected  :  and  beg  leave 
to  offer  you  their  best  wishes  for  your  private  happi 
ness,  and  prosperous  discharge  of  your  official  duties. 
They  will  also  be  pleased  with* an  increased  gratifica 
tion,  if  your  arrangements  will  permit  you  to  dine  witli 
them,  and  the  citizens  of  Frederick,  to  morrow,  at  three 
o'clock. 

LAWRENCE  BRENGLE,  Mayor. 

"  To  which  the  President  made  an  appropriate  ver 
bal  reply.  He  observed  that  lie  had  undertaken  the 
Tour  for  the  purpose  of  informing  himself  as  to  the  ac 
tual  state  of  fortifications  &c.  that  he  was  now  on  his  re 
turn  from  accomplishing  that  object.  Public  business 
demanding  his  immediate  attention  at  Washington,  he 
was  under  the  necessity  of  declining  the  polite  invita 
tion  of  the  citizens  of  Fredericktown  to  a  public  dinner, 
however  much  his  private  feelings  might  urge  him  to 
the  acceptance  of  that  mark  of  respect.  He  felt  grati 
fied  that  his  tour  had  been  attributed  to  the  proper  mo 
tive,  the  disposition  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  his 
country." 

Upon  the  morning  of  the  17th  September,  the  Presi 
dent  commenced  the  day's  travel  which  was  to  complete 
his  extensive,  interesting,  laborious,  and  highly  impor 
tant  Tour. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  2 S3 

It  excites  no  surprise  that  the  passage  of  the  Supreme 
Magistrate  of  a  great  people,  inhabiting  an  extensive 
country,  should  raise  the  curiosity,  and  excite  the  ad 
miration,  and  even  the  wonder  of  that  portion  of  the 
people  who  occupy  parts  of  it  remote  from  the  seat  of 
government.  It  is  there  where  the  power  of  the  ruler 
assumes  the  most  imposing  aspect — it  is  there  where 
his  character  developes  itself  most  impressively — it  is 
there  where  he  is  most  familiarly  known.  Ferdinand 
the  VII.  may  be  adored  by  the  wretched  peasants  who 
reside  at  the  base  of  the  Pyrenees,  and  who  drag  out  a 
miserable  existence  near  the  bay  of  Biscay.  But  how 
is  he  estimated  at  his  Court,  where  the  inquisition  is 
wielded  as  the  weapon  of  his  vengeance,  and  where 
he  drags  to  the  torture  and  the  scaffold,  the  veterans 
who  brought  him  from  exile  to  his  throne,  and  who  still 
support  him  in  his  horribly  abused  power  ? 

The  long  absence  of  the  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES,  from  Washington,  elicited  the  ardent  sparks  of' 
joy  upon  his  return.  His  departure  from  that  place 
left  a  vacuum  in  the  political  centre  of  the  American 
Republic,  like  that  which  the  exit  of  SAMUEL  JOHNSON 
made  in  the  modern  literary  world. 

To  use  the  language  of  one  of  the  most  finished  schol 
ars  of  later  times,  it  "  left  a  vacuum  which  nothing  beside, 
not  only  could  not  Jill,  but  which  nothing  beside  had  any 
tendency  to  fill"  His  approach  to  this  place,  was  hail 
ed  with  that  joy,  with  which  children  hail  the  approach 
of  a  beloved  parent  to  the  bosom  of  his  beloved  family. 
It  shews  that  "  those  who  know  him  best,  love  him  most." 
During  his  passage  from  Fredericktown  to  Washington, 
the  people  could  do  nothing  but  watch  his  movement 
B  b  2 


J;)l  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

with  silent  admiration,  blessing  him  in  their  hearts,  as 
their  political  father,  and  in  their  hearts  welcoming  his 
return  to  the  place  he  fills  with  so  much  dignity — the 
Chair  of  State. 

He  was  thus  received  at  Washington  : 

"  On  Wednesday,  (the  17th  September,)  just  at  the 
setting  of  the  sun,  the  President  arrived  from  his 
northern  Tour,  at  the  house  prepared  for  the  dwelling 
of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation.  On  his  ap 
proach  to  the  District,  he  was  met,  a  few  miles  from 
Georgetown,  by  the  Mayor,  and  a  deputation  of  citi- 
xens  from  that  town,  who  welcomed  his  return.  At 
the  limits  of  the  District,  he  was  met  by  a  cavalcade  of 
citizens,  from  the  District  generally,  on  horseback,  and 
in  carriages,  who  were  soon  joined  by  a  troop  of  horse 
from  Alexandria,  and  a  band  of  music,  who  escorted 
him  to  his  dwelling  in  this  city.  On  his  approach  to 
the  lines  of  Georget«pvn,  he  was  greeted  by  a  national 
salute  from  a  detachment  of  Georgetown  artillery,  which 
was  responded  by  Fort  Washington.  On  approaching 
his  mansion,  the  President  was  received  by  the  Marine 
Corps,  under  the  command  of  Major  Miller,  with  the 
honour  due  to  his  station.  He  dismounted  at  the  door 
of  his  residence,  and  was  received  by  many  of  his  fel 
low  citizens,  who  waited  his  arrival.  Gen.  J.  P.  Van 
Ness,  delivered  a  verbal  congratulation  and  welcome  to 
the  President,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  ;  to  which  he  gave  a  very  affectionate  re 
ply,  and  adverted  to  objects  and  circumstances  of  his 
Tour  ;  spoke  of  the  cordiality  with  which  he  was  eve- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  295 

ry  where  received  on  his  arduous  Tour,  and  of  the 
prosperity  of  the  country,  generally,  through  which 
he  had  travelled  ;  and  expressed  much  satisfaction  at  the 
manifestation  of  a  national  feeling  and  attachment  to  the 
true  principle  of  the  constitution.  After  concluding, 
he  retired,  in  the  midst  of  the  hearty  cheers  of  the  spec 
tators,  who  immediately  dispersed,  and  left  him  to  that 
repose  his  fatigues  required. 

On  Thursday,  at  12  o'clock,  agreeably  to  previous 
arrangement,  the  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Washington,  and 
the  Members  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  and  of  Common 
Council,  waited  on  the  President ;  and  BENJAMIN  G. 
ORR,  Esq.  the  Mayor,  presented  to  him,  in  behalf  of  the 
City,  the  following  address  : 

MR.  PRESIDENT, 

Your  fellow  citizens  and  neighbours  cannot  receive 
you  amon&at  them  after  the  interesting  and  useful  Tour 
you  have  taken,  without  using  the  occasion  to  demon 
strate  their  high  respect  and  attachment 

The  people,  sir,  in  their  undivided  and  unrestrained 
honours  to  their  Chief  Magistrate,  have  not  only  done 
justice  to  merit,  but  have  done  more  :  they  have 
strengthened  their  government  by  spontaneous  manifes 
tations  of  their  happiness  and  unanimity  ;  they  have 
developed  the  highly  interesting  fact,  that  that  system 
is  "best  which  interferes  le-i^t  with  the  rights  inherent 
in  every  ration  il  creature,  and  which  secures  the  bles 
sing*  of  civilization,  by  the  moral  sense  of  the  nation, 
more  than  by  the  coercive  arm  of  the  civil  and  military 
power. 

In  the  Tour  which  you  have  just  finished,  we  have 
sympathized  with  you  in  3'our  fatigues,  and  exulted 
with  yoa  in  the  extraordinary  demonstrations  of  the 
nation's  love,  which,  though  sometimes  oppressive,  are 
always  grateful.  Despotic  rulers  obtain  the  adulation 


296  PRESIDENTS  TOUR. 

of  slaves,  whom,  by  their  vices,  they  have  made  mis 
erable  ;  but  you,  the  choice  of  a  free  and  enlightened 
people,  receive  assurances  of  approbation  and  esteem, 
from  those  you  largely  participate  in  rendering  happy. 
The  pleasure  which  your  return  affords  w.s,  is  aug 
mented,  by  the  consideration  that  we  have  now  the  op 
portunity  of  addressing  you  in  the  dwelling  which  the 
nation  has  once  more  prepared  for  the  reception  and 
accommodation  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United 
States.  In  these  sentiments,  the  mayor,  board  of  alder 
men,  and  board  of  common  council,  cordially  unite  with 
the  citizens  of  Washington,  in  tendering  you  the  wel 
come  of  friendship,  in  the  language  of  candor  and  in  the 
fullness  of  affection  and  confidence. 

To  which  the  President  returned  the  following  re- 


To  the  mayor,  board  of  aldermen,  and  board  of  common 
council  of  the  City  of  Washington. 

1  cannot  express,  in  sufficiently  strong  terms,  the 
gratification  which  I  feel  in  returning  to  the  seat  of  gov 
ernment,  after  the  long  and  very  interesting  Tour  in 
which  1  have  been  engaged  ;  and  I  beg  you  to  be  assur 
ed  that  nothing'can  contribute  more  to  dissipate  the  fa 
tigue  to  which  I  have  been  exposed,  than  the  very  cor 
dial  reception  which  has  been  given  me  by  my  fellow- 
citizens  and  neighbours,  of  the  city  and  district. 

I  shall  always  look  back  to  the  important  incidents  of 
my  late  Tour  with  peculiar  satisfaction.  I  flatter  my 
self  that  I  have  derived  from  it  information  which  will 
be  very  useful  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  high 
trust  confided  to  rne  ;  and,  in  other  respects,  it  has  af 
forded  me  the  highest  gratification.  In  all  that  portion 
of  our  country,  through  which  I  have  passed,  I  have 
seen,  with  delight,  proofs  the  most  conclusive,  of  the 
devotion  of  our  fellow  citizens  to  the  principles  of  our 
free  republican  government,  and  to  our  hap(»y  union. 
The  spontaneous  and  independent  manner  in  which 
these  sentiments  were  declared,  by  the  great  body  of 
the  people,  with  other  marked  circumstances  attending 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  297 

them,  satisfied  me  that  they  came  from  the  heart.  Uni 
ted  firmly  in  the  support  of  these  great,  these  vital  in 
terest,  we  may  fairly  presume  that  all  difficulty  on  mi 
nor  questions  will  disappear. 

In  retirrning  to  the  city  of  Washington,  I  rejoice  to 
find  the  pu!-/l;c  building,  intended  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  Chief  Magistrate,  in  a  state  to  receive  me,  and 
to  admit  within  it  this  friendly  interview  with  you. 

JAMES  MONROE. 


The  President  was  now  in  the  bosom  of  his  friends, 
and  surrounded  by  a  cabinet  harmonizing  with  him  in 
his  extensive  views  for  advancing  the  individual  happi 
ness,  the  permanent  interest  and  the  national  glory  of 
his  countrymen. 

He  resumed  the  exercise  of  the  high  functions  of  his 
Presidential  office,  with  a  knowledge  of  an  extensive 
and  important  section  of  his  native  country,  which  he 
could  not  have  acquired  so  perfectly  as  he  had  done  in 
any  mode  but  by  personal  observation.  It  can  hardly 
be  expected  of  any  man,  in  any  station,  that  he  will 
wholly  divest  himself  of  local  prepossessions,  and  per 
sonal  attachments.  It  ought  not  to  be  hoped.  It 
would  be  doing  violence  to  our  nature,  to  accomplish 
it,  if  it  were  possible.  The  visionary  notion  of  the 
cosmopolite,  which  embraces  the  whole  family  of  man 
as  equally  dear  to  him — which  places  the  same  estima 
tion  upon  the  Arab  of  Africa,  the  Hindoo  of  Asia,  and 
the  Cossack  of  Europe,  as  he  does  upon  his  own  coun 
trymen  is  so  pregnant  with  absurdity,  that  it  would  dis 
grace  the  intellect  of  the  lunatic,  But  that  the  whole 
family  of  the  American  Republic  should  love  each  oth 
er  as  brethren,  is  not  only  desirable,  but  it  is  practica 
ble.  It  was  the  great  desideratum  of  the  sainted  WASH- 


298  PRESIDENT'S 

INGTON — it  was  the  ardent  wish  of  the  great  JEFFERSON. 
The  repeated  declarations  of  JAMES  MONROE,  as  well 
as  his  whole  official  conduct,  from  his  minority  to  this 
period  of  his  life,  shows  his  wishes  upon  this  subject. 
"  Knowing,,"  (he  says,)  "  no  difference  between  the 
just  claims  of  one  portion  of  our  country  and  another,  I 
consider  it  my  duty  to  attend  equally  to  the  rights  and 
interests  of  the  'whole.  Incapable  of  discriminating  be 
tween  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  Eastern  and  Western 
sections  of  the  Union ;  and  having  no  friendships  to  serve, 
or  resentments  to  gratify,  at  the  expense  of  the  public  wel 
fare,  I  shall  steadily  pursue  the  objects  most  likely  to  se 
cure  them." 

An  entire  union  of  sentiment,  upon  political  subjects,. 
is  not  to  be  expected  among  a  people  who  think  for 
themselves,  read  for  themselves,  and  act  for  themselves, 
The  sentiment,  that  "  the  people  are  their  own  worst 
enemies,"  is  not  correct,  as  it  relates  to  the  intelligent 
citizens  of  our  Republic.  It  may  be  true,  as  it  relates 
to  the  uneducated  and  oppressed  peasantry  of  Europe  ; 
but  here,  thanks  to  the  literary  institutions  of  our 
country,  we  have  no  such  peasantry.  From  the  Presi 
dent,  who  fills  the  chair  of  state,  to  the  humblest  la 
bourer,  who  earns  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow, 
every  one  knows  his  rights,  and  will  not,  patiently,  suf 
fer  oppression.  Every  citizen  of  the  Republic  pos 
sesses  means  of  some  information  upon  political  subjects. 
Possessing  this,  he  reasons  for  himself,  and  will  not  be 
dictated  to,  in  regard  to  his  opinions,  by  an  imperious 
miser,  or  an  aspiring  demagogue.  One  consequence 
of  this  intelligence  is  political  parties,  and  they  never 
will  cease  to  exist  in  this  country,  until  the  parali/ing 


PRESIDENT'S    TOUR.  299 

effects  of  sottish  ignorance  shall  have  paved  the  road  to 
despotic  power.  That  erroneous  opinions  may  be 
adopted,  is  without  a  question  ;  but  "  errors  of  opinion 
Tvill  never  become  dangerous,  as  long  as  reason  is  left 
free  to  combat  them." 

The  greatest  danger  arises  from  the  apprehension 
that  one  section  of  the  Republic  may  become  hostile  to 
another.  It  is  against  this,  that  the  great  men  just  men 
tioned,  have  raised  their  warning  voices  to  their  coun 
trymen.  The  division  of  the  Union,  will  be  the  de 
struction  of  the  Republic.  The  bundled  reeds  can 
withstand  the  arm  of  the  giant ;  separately,  they  may 
be  broken  by  the  child. 

Fears  that  arise  from  this  source  are  greatly  allayed 
by  the  increasing  prevalence  of  a  NATIONAL  feeling. — 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  effect  of  the  second  war 
for  American  Independence,  upon  different  portions  of 
the  Republic,  its  termination  did  much  to  eradicate  sec 
tional  prejudices.  However  diverse  may  be  the  pur 
suits  or  the  interests  of  the  different  parts  of  the  coun 
try,  they  may  be  made  to  produce  mutual  benefit.  If 
that  portion  of  the  Union  which  lies  East  of.  the  Alle- 
ghany,  has  a  soil  less  productive  than  that  upon  the 
West,  it  is  bounded  upon  an  ocean,  upon  which  many 
of  her  sons  have  found  an  home  ;  and  enables  them  to 
be  carriers  of  the  immense  productions  of  that  region 
of  fertility.  The  three  great  pillars  of  national  wealth 
and  national  power — Agriculture,  Manufactures,  and 
Commerce,  may  be  prosecuted  in  different  parts ;  the 
advantages  will  redound  to  the  benefit  of  the  whole,  and 
augment  the  greatness  of  the  Republic. 

The  recent  Tour  of  the  President,  a  brief  account 


300  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

of  which  is  now  brought"  to  a  conclusion,  has  drawn 
from  him  his  sentiments  upon  the  great  and  important 
principles  upon  which  our  republic  is  constituted. — 
The  numerous  and  elegant  Addresses  that  were  deliv- 
ered  to  him  upon  his  journey,  maybe  considered  as  the 
deliberate  opinion  of  the  people  in  those  parts  of  the 
country  where  they  were  presented.  His  Answers  to 
them,  although  made  upon  the  spur  of  the  occasion, 
elicited  from  him  the  results  of  long  experience,  and 
called  forth  his  opinions  upon  the  great  subjects  upon 
which  the  vital  interests  of  the  Republic  depend. 

It  is  sincerely  to  be  hoped,  that  geographical  distinc 
tions,  and  local  prepossessions  will  shortly  cease  to  ex 
ist  in  our  beloved  Republic  as  it  regards  opinions  ;  that 
the  Virginian,  the  Tennesseean,  the  Pennsylvania^  and 
New-Englander,  will  all  embrace  each  other,  as  brethren 
of  the  same  family,  and  greet  each  other  as  fellow  citi 
zens  of  the  only  real  Republic,  at  this  time,  upon  earth  ; 
that,  as  the  highest  privileged  people  on  the  globe,  we 
may  unite  our  efforts  to  render  the  privileges  we  enjoy 
secure  ;  and  that  every  American  may  exclaim,  with 
an  ancient  patriot,  when  reflecting  upon  the  blessings 
his  country  enjoyed,  "  BE  THEY  PERPETUAL." 

The  President's^rs^  Tour,  having  occupied  himthro' 
the  months  of  June,  July,  August,  and  half  of  Septem 
ber,  1817 — having  traversed  the  country  in  a  course 
which  compelled  him  to  travel  three  thousand  miles, 
he  found,  upon  his  return,  that  the  business  in  the  Ex 
ecutive  Department  required  the  most  intent  applica 
tion.  With  the  readiness  with  which  an  experienced 
and  practical  statesman  discharges  his  duty,  he  arranged 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  3DI 

the  affairs  of  the  Cabinet — and  upon  the  last  week  in 
November,  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  the  Capital, 
lie  visited  Fort  Washington,  recently  advanced  toward 
perfectisn,  for  the  defence  ofa  place,  which,  in  flagrant 
violation  of  the  laws  of  civilized  warfare,  was  partially 
destroyed  in  the  second  war  between  America  and  Great 
Britain.  The  citizens  of  Alexandria,  (Col.)  welcomed 
the  President  into  the  District,  and  their  City,  by 
every  demonstration  of  respect  which  the  civil  and 
military  powers  could  display,  and  thus  affectionately, 
and  patriotically  addressed  him. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  further  prosecution  of  the  important  ob 
ject  of  your  late  tour  has  brought  you  to  our  town. 
It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  mayor  and  common  council 
.of  Alexandria,  in  behalf  of  themselves,  and  their  fel 
low  citizens,  offer  to  you  their  cordial  and  respect 
ful  salutations  upon  your  arrival  among  us.  In  you, 
sir,  we  behold  not  only  the  chief  of  the  nation,  but  the 
executive  magistrate  of  this  district.  Confiding  in  the 
purity  of  your  intentions,  and  believing  that  the  pow 
ers  vested  in  you  by  the  constitution,  will  be  used  with 
a  due  regard  to  the  welfare  of  the  people,  whose  dearest 
interests  are  entrusted  to  your  paternal  care,  we  avail 
ourselves  of  this  occasion  to  express  our  sincere  hope, 
that  the  auspicious  circumstances  which  .attended  the 
commencement  of  your  administration,  may,  with  the 
blessings  of  our  heavenly  Father,  under  your  direction, 
unite  to  promote  the  solid  and  permanent  good  of  our 
beloved  country.  We  feel  every  assurance  that  the 
peculiar  interest  and  welfare  of  the  district  of  Colum 
bia  will  receive  your  attentive  consideration,  and  that 
such  measures  will  be  recommended  by  you  to  congress, 
as  are,  in  your  opinion,  best  calculated  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  the  district.  With  these  sentiments;  we 
unite  in  our  ardent  wishes  for  your  present  and  future 
C  c 


PRESIDENT  9    TOUR. 

e**,  and  that  it  may  please  the  supreme  Gover- 
nour  of  the  world  so  to  guide  you,  that  the  course  of 
your  administration  may  entitle  you  to  the  gratitude  and 
affection  of  your  fellow  citizens,  and  the  respect  of  fu 
ture  generations. 

The  President  extemporaneously  replied  : 

That  he  received  with  pleasure  the  kind  attention  of 
the  town  of  Alexandria  ;  that  from  the  circumstance  of 
having  known  the  town  from  his  early  youth,  and  en 
tertaining  a  friendship  for  many  of  its  inhabitants,  the 
marks  of  kindness  he  now  received  could  not  fail  to  be 
agreeable  to  him  :  that  the  general  interest  and  defence 
of  the  nation  had  been  the  object  of  his  late  Tour  ;  and, 
in  the  further  prosecution  of  that  object,  his  present 
visit  was  here,  and  to  the  neighbouring  fort,  on  which 
the  safety  of  the  town  seemed  materially  to  depend  ; 
that  he  considered  the  prosperity  of  the  district,  from 
having  been  made  the  seat  of  the  general  government, 
as  becoming  a  subject  of  national  concern,  and  that  he 
felt  every  disposition  to  promote  its  interests,  as  far  as 
he  was  enabled  by  the  important  situation  to  which  his 
country  had  done  him  the  honour  to  call  him. 

In  the  introductory  part  of  this  work,  the  President's 
INAUGURAL  SPEECH  was  presented  to  the  reader.  I 
think  it  cannot  better  be  concluded  than  by  presenting 
to  him  the  FIRST  MESSAGE  he  transmitted  to  thejirst  Con 
gress  assembled  under  his  administration.  In  both  of 
these  STATE  PAPERS,  it  will  be  discovered  that  our  pre 
sent  Chief  Magistrate  is  a  man  who  will  always  say — 

"  FROM  A  JUST  RESPONSIBILITY  I  SHALL  NEVER  SHRINK." 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  303 

PRESIDENT'S  MESSAGE. 

Fellow  Citizens  of  the  Senate, 

and  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

At  no  period  of  our  political  existence  had  we  so 
much  cause  to  felicitate  ourselves  at  the  prosperous 
and  happy  condition  of  our  country.  The  abundant 
fruits  of  the  earth  have  filled  it  with  plenty.  An  ex 
tensive  and  profitable  commerce  has  greatly  augmented 
our  revenue.  The  public  credit  has  attained  an  ex 
traordinary  elevation.  Our  preparations  for  defence, 
in  c-ise  of  future  wars,  from  which,  by  the  experience 
of  all  nations,  we  ought  not  to  expect  to  be  exempted, 
are  advancing,  under  a  well  digested  system,  with  all 
the  dispatch  which  so  important  a  work  will  admit. — 
Our  free  government,  founded  on  the  interest  and  af 
fections  of  the  people,  has  gained,  and  .is  daily  gaining 
strength.  Local  jealousies  are  rapidly  yielding  to  more 
generous,  enlarged  and  enlightened  views  of  national 
policy.  For  advantages  so  numerous,  and  highly  im 
portant,  it  is  our  duty  to  unite,  in  grateful  acknowledg 
ments,  to  that  omnipotent  Being,  from  whom  they  are 
derived,  and  in  unceasing  prayer,  that  he  will  endow 
us  with  virtue  and  strength  to  maintain,  arid  hand  them 
down,  in  their  utmost  purity,  to  our  latest  posterity. 

I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  you,  that  an  arrange 
ment,  which  had  been  commenced  by  my  predecessor, 
with  the  British  government  for  the  reduction  of  the 
naval  force,  by  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  on 
the  lakes,  has  been  concluded  :  by  which  it  is  provid 
ed,  that  neither  party  shall  keep  in  service,  on  Lake 
Champlain,  more  than  one  vessel  ;  on  Lake  Ontario, 
more  than  one  ;  and  on  Lake  Erie,  and  the  upper  lakes, 
more  than  two  ;  to  be  armed,  each,  with  one  cannon 
only  ;  and  that  all  the  other  armed  vessels,  of  both  par 
ties,  of  which  an  exact  list 'is  interchanged,  shall  be  dis 
mantled.  It  is  also  agreed,  that  the  force  retained 
shall  be  restricted,  in  its  duty,  to  the  internal  purposes 
of  each  party  ;  and  that  the  arrangement  shall  remain 
in  force  until  six  months  shall  have  expired,  after  no 
tice  given  by  one  of  the  parties  to  the  other  of  its  de 


304  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

sire  that  it  should  terminate.  By  this  arrangement, 
useless  expense,  on  both  sides  ;  and,  what  is  of  still 
greater  importance,  the  danger  of  collision,  hetween 
armed  vessels,  in  those  inland  waters,  which  was 
great,  is  prevented. 

I  have  the  satisfaction  also  to  state,  that  the  Commis 
sioners,  under  the  fourth  article  of  the  Treaty  of 
Ghent,  to  whom  it  was  referred  to  decide,  to  which 
party  the  several  islands  in  the  Bay  of  Passamaquoddv 
belonged,  under  the  Treaty  of  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-three,  have  agreed  in  a  report,  by 
which  all  the  Islands  in  the  possession  of  each  party 
before  the  late  war,  have  been  decreed  to  it.  The 
commissioners  acting  under  the  other  articles  of  the 
Treaty  of  Ghent,  for  the  settlement  of  boundaries,  have 
also  been  engaged  in  the  discharge  of  their  respective 
duties,  but  have  not  yet  completed  them.  The  differ 
ence  which  arose  between  the  two  governments  under 
that  Treaty,  respecting  the  right  of  the  United  States, 
to  take  and  cure  fish  on  the  coast  of  the  British  pro 
vinces,  north  of  our  limits,  which  had  been  secured  by 
the  Treaty  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty- 
three,  is  still  in  negociation.  The  proposition  made  by 
this  government,  to  extend  to  the  colonies  of  Great 
Britain,  the  principle  of  the  convention  of  London,  by 
which  the  commerce  between  the  ports  of  the  United 
States  and  British  ports  in  Europe,  had  been  placed  on 
a  footing  of  equality,  has  been  declined  by  the  British 
government.  This  subject  having  been  thus  amicably 
discussed  between  the  two  governments,  and  it  appear 
ing  that  the  British  government  is  unwilling  to  depart 
from  its  present  regulations,  it  remains  for  Congress  to 
decide,  whether  they  will  make  any  other  regulations, 
in  consequence  thereof,  for  the  protection  and  improve 
ment  of  our  navigation. 

The  negociation  with  Sp;,in,  for  spoliations  on  our 
commerce,  and  the  settlement  of  boundaries,  remains, 
essentially,  in  the  state  it  held,  by  the  communications 
that  were  made  to  Congress  by  my  predecessor. 

It  has  evidently  been  rhe  policy  of  the  Spanish  gov- 
t-nunent  to  keep  the  negociation  suspended,  and  in  this 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  305 

the  United  States  have  acquiesced,  from  an  amicable 
disposition  towards  Spain,  and  in  the  expectation  that 
the  government  would,  from  a  sense  of  justice,  finally 
accede  to  such  an  arrangement  as  would  be  equal  be 
tween  the  parties.  A  disposition  has  been  lately  shewn 
by  the  Spanish  government  to  move  in  the  negociation, 
which  has  been  met  by  this  government,  and,  should  the 
conciliatory  and  friendly  policy,  which  has  invariably 
guided  our  councils,  be  reciprocated,  a  just  and  satis 
factory  arrangement  may  be  expected.  It  is  proper, 
however^  to  remark,  that  no  proposition  has  yet  been 
made  from  which  such  a  result  can  be  presumed. 

It  was  anticipated,  at  an  early  stage,  that  the  contest 
between  Spain  and  the  colonies  would  become  highly 
interesting  to  the  United  States.  It  was  natural  that 
our  citizens  should  sympathise  in  events  which  affected 
their  neighbours.  It  seemed  probable,  also,  that  the 
prosecution  of  the  conflict,  along  our  coast,  and  in  con 
tiguous  countries,  would  occasionally  interrupt  our 
commerce,  and  otherwise  affect  the  persons  and  pro 
perty  of  our  citizens.  These  anticipations  have  been 
realized.  Such  injuries  have  been  received  from  per 
sons  acting  under  the  authority  of  both  the  parties,  and 
for  which  redress  has,  in  most  instances,  been  withheld. 
Through  every  stage  of  the  conflict,  the  United  States 
have  maintained  an  impartial  neutrality,  giving  aid  to 
neither  of  the  parties  in  men,  money,  ships,  or  muni 
tions  of  war.  They  have  regarded  the  contest,  not  in 
the  light  of  an  ordinary  insurrection  or  rebellion,  but  as 
a  civil  war  between  parties  nearly  equal,  having,  as  to 
neutral  powers,  equal  rights.  Our  ports  have  been 
open  to  both,  and  every  article,  the  fruit  of  our  soil,  or 
of  the  industry  of  our  citizens,  which  either  was  per 
mitted  to  take,  has  been  equally  free  to  the  other. 
Should  the  colonies  establish  their  independence,  it  is 
proper  now  to  state,  that  this  government  neither 
seeks,  nor  would  accept,  from  them,  any  advantage,  in 
commerce  or  otherwise,  which  will  not  be  equally  open 
to  all  other  nations. — The  colonies  will,  in  that  event, 
become  independent  states,  freed  from  any  obligation  to. 
0  c  2 


"•Otj  PRESIDENT'S    TOLA. 

or  connection  with  us,  which  it  may  not  then  be  then 
interest  to  form  on  the  basis  of  a  fair  reciprocity. 

In  the  summer  of  the  present  year,  an  expedition 
was  set  on  foot  against  East  Florida,  by  persons  claim 
ing  to  a.ct  under  the  authority  of  some  of  the  colonies, 
who  took  possession  of  Amelia  Island,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
St.  Mary's  river,  near  the  boundary  of  the  State  of  Geor 
gia.  As  this  province  lies  eastward  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
is  bounded  by  the  United  States  and  the  ocean  on  every 
side,  and  has  been  a  subject  of  negociation  with  the  gov 
ernment  of  Spain,  as  an  indemnity  for  losses  by  spolia 
tion,  or  in  exchange  for  territory,  of  equal  value,  west 
ward  of  the  Mississippi,  a  fact  well  known  to  the  world, 
it  excited  surprize,  that  any  countenance  should  be  giv 
en  to  this  measure  by  any  of  the  colonies.  As  it  would  be 
difficult  to  reconcile  it  with  the  friendly  relations  exist 
ing  between  the  United  States  and  the  colonies,  a  doubt 
was  entertained  whether  it  had  been  authorized  by 
them,  or  any  of  them.  This  doubt  has  gained  strength 
by  the  circumstances  which  have  unfolded  themselves 
in  the  prosecution  of  the  enterprize,  which  have  mark 
ed  it  as  a  mere  private,  unauthorised  adventure.  Pro 
jected  and  commenced  with  an  incompetent  force,  re 
liance  seems  to  have  been  placed  on  what  might  be 
drawn,  in  defiance  of  our  laws,  from  within  our  limits  ; 
and  of  late,  as  their  resources  have  failed,  it  has  assum 
ed  a  more  marked  character  of  unfriendliness  to  us  ;  the 
island  being  made  a  channel  for  the  illicit  introduction 
of  slaves  from  Africa  into  the  United  States,  an  asylum 
for  fugitive  slaves  from  the  neighbouring  states,  and  a 
port  for  smuggling  of  every  kind. 

A  similar  establishment  was  made,  at  an  early  peri 
od,  by  persons  of  the  same  description,  in  the  Gulph  of 
Mexico,  at  a  place  called  Galvezton,  within  the  limits 
of  the  United  States,  as  we  contend,  under  the  cession 
of  Louisiana.  This  enterprize  has  been  marked,  in  a 
more  signal  manner,  by  all  the  objectional  circum 
stances  which  characterized  the  other,  and  more  par 
ticularly  by  the  equipment  of  privateers  which  have 
annoyed  our  commerce,  and  by  smuggling.  These  es 
tablishments,  if  ever  sanctioned  by  any  authority  what- 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUft.  JU  7 

ever,  which  is  not  believed,  have  abused  their  trust. 
•and  forfeited  all  claim  to  consideration.  A  just  regard 
for  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  United  States  requir 
ed  that  they  should  be  suppressed,  and  orders  have 
been  accordingly  issued  to  that  effect.  The  imperious 
considerations  which  produced  this  measure  will  be. 
explained  to  the  parties  whom  it  may,  in  any  degree 
concern. 

To  obtain  correct  information  on  every  subject  in 
which  the  United  States  are  interested  ;  to  inspire  just 
sentiments  in  all  persons  in  authority,  on  either  side,  of 
our  friendly  disposition,  so  far  as  it  may  comport  with 
an  impartial  neutrality  ;  and  to  secure  proper  respect 
to  our  commerce  in  every  port,  and  from  every  flag,  it 
has  been  thought  proper  to  send  a  ship  of  war,  and 
three  distinguished  citizens  along  the  southern  coast, 
with  instruction  to  touch  at  such  ports  as  they  may  mid 
most  expedient  for  these  purposes.  With  the  existing 
authorities,  with  those  in  the  possession  of,  and  exer 
cising  the  sovereignty,  must  the  communication  be 
held  ;  from  them  alone  can  redress  for  past  injuries, 
committed  by  persons  acting  under  them,  be  obtained  ; 
by  them  alone  can  the  commission  of  the  like,  in  future 
be  prevented. 

Our  relations  with  the  other  powers  of  Europe  have 
experienced  no  essential  change  since  the  last  session. 
In  our  intercourse  with  each,  due  attention  continues 
to  be  paid  to  the  protection  of  our  commerce,  and  to 
every  other  object  in  which  the  United  States  are  in 
terested.  A  strong  hope  is  entertained,  that  by  adher 
ing  to  the  maxims  of  ajust,  a  candid  and  friendly  policy, 
we  may  long  preserve  amicable  relations  with  all  the 
powers  of  Europe,  on  conditions  advantageous  and  hon 
ourable  to  our  country. 

With  the  Barbary  states,  and  the  Indian  tribes,  our 
pacific  relations  have  been  preserved. 

In  calling  your  attention  to  the  internal  concerns  of 
our  country,  the  view  which  they  exhibit  is  peculiarly 
gratifying.  The  payments  which  have  been  made  into 
the  treasury  show  the  very  productive  state  of  the  pub 
lic  revenue.  After  satisfying  the  appropriations,  made 


3Q8  PRKSIDEN'T  •• 

by  law  for  the  support  of  the  civil  government,  and  of 
the  military  and  naval  establishments,  embracing  suita 
ble  provisions  for  fortifications,  and  for  the  gradual  in 
crease  of  the  navy,  paying  the  interest  of  the  public 
debt,  and  extinguishing  more  than  eighteen  millions  of 
the  principal,  within  the  present  year,  it  is  estimated 
that  a  balance  of  more  than  six  millions  of  dollars  will 
remain  in  the  treasury  on  the  first  day  of  January,  ap 
plicable  to  the  current  service  of  the  ensuing  year. 

The  payments  into  the  treasury  during  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen,  on  account  of  im 
ports  and  tonnage,  resulting  principally  from  duties 
which  have  accrued  in  the  present  year,  may  be  fairly 
estimated  at  twenty  millions  of  dollars  ;  internal  reve 
nues,  at  two  millions  five  hundred  thousand  ;  public 
lands,  at  one  million  five  hundred  thousand  ;  bank  divi 
dends  and  incidental  receipts,  at  five  hundre'd  thousand  ; 
making  in  the  whole,  twenty-four  millions  and  five  hun 
dred  thousand  dollars. 

The  annual  permanent  expenditure  for  the  support 
of  the  civil  government,  and  of  the  army  and  navy,  as 
now  established  by  law,  amounts  to  eleven  millions  and 
eight  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;  and  for  the  sinking 
fund,  to  ten  millions  ;  making  in  the  whole,  twenty- 
one  millions  and  eight  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;  leav 
ing  an  annual  excess  of  revenue  beyond  the  expendi 
ture,  of  two  millions  and  seven  hundred  thousand  dol 
lars,  exclusive  of  the  balance  estimated  to  be  in  the 
treasury  on  the  first  day  of  January,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  eighteen. 

In  the  present  state  of  the  treasury,  the  whole  of 
the  Louisiana  debt  may  be  redeemed  in  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  nineteen  ;  after  which,  if 
the  public  debt  continues  as  it  now  is,  above  par,  there 
will  be  annually  about  five  millions  of  the  sinking  fund 
unexpended,  until  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hun 
dred  and  twenty-five,  when  the  loan  of  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  twelve,  and  the  stock  created  by 
funding  treasury  notes,  will  be  redeemable. 

It  is  also  estimated  that  the  Mississippi  stock  will  be 
discharged  during  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR. 

and  nineteen,  from  the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  as 
signed  to  that  object,  after  which  the  receipts  from 
those  lands  will  annually  add  to  the  public  revenue  the 
sum  of  one  million  live  hundred  thousand  dollars,  mak 
ing  the  permanent  annual  revenue  amount  to  twenty- 
six  millions  of  dollars,  and  leaving  an  annual  excess  of 
revenue,  after  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
nineteen,  beyond  the  permanent  authorised  expendi 
ture,  of  more  than  four  millions  of  dollars. 

B;y  the  last  returns  from  the  Department  of  War, 
the  rnilitia  force  of  the  several  states  may  ha  estimated 
at  eight  hundred  thousand  men,  infantry,  artillery,  and 
cavalry.  Great  part  of  this  force  is  armed,  and  meas 
ures  are  taken  to  arm  the  whole.  An  improvement  in 
the  organization  and  discipline  of  the  militia,  is  one  of 
the  great  objects  which  claims  the  unremitted  attention 
of  Congress. 

The  regular  force  amounts  nearly  to  the  number  re 
quired  by  law,  and  is  stationed  along  the  Atlantic  and 
inland  frontiers. 

Of  the  naval  force  it  has  been  necessary  to  maintain 
strong  squadrons  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico. 

From  several  of  the  Indian  tribes,  inhabiting  the 
country  bordering  on  Lake  Erie,  purchases  have  been 
made  of  lands,  on  conditions  very  favourable  to  the 
United  States,  and,  as  it  is  presumed,  not  less  so  to  the 
tribes  themselves.  By  these  purchases,  the  Indian  ti 
tle,  with  moderate  reservations,  has  been  extinguished, 
to  the  whole  of  the  land  within  the  limits  of  the  state  of 
Ohio,  and  to  a  great  part  of  that  in  the  Michigan  Terri 
tory,  and  of  the  state  of  Indiana.  From  the  Cherokee 
tribe  a  tract  has  been  purchased  in  the  state  of  Georgia, 
and  an  arrangement  made,  by  which,  in  exchange  for 
lands  beyond  the  Mississippi,  a  great  part,  if  not  the 
whole  of  the  land  belonging  to  that  tribe,  eastward  of 
that  river,  in  the  states  of  North  Carolina,  Georgia  and 
Tennessee,  and  in  the  Alabama  territory,  will  soon  be 
acquired.  By  these  acquisitions,  and  others  that  may 
reasonably  be  expected  soon  to  follow,  we  shall  be 
enabled  to  extend  our  settlements  from  the  inhabited 


310  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

parts  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  along  Lake  Erie  into  the  Mi 
chigan  Territory,  and  to  connect  our  settlements  by  de 
grees  through  the  State  of  Indiana  and  the  Illinois  Ter 
ritory,  to  that  of  Missouri.  A  similar  and  equally  ad 
vantageous  effect  will  soon  be  produced  to  the  south, 
through  the  whole  extent  of  the  States  and  Territory 
which  border  on  the  waters  emptying  into  the  Missis 
sippi  and  the  Mobile.  In  this  progress,  which  the  rights 
of  nature  demand,  and  nothing  can  prevent,  marking  a 
growth  rapid  and  gigantic,  it  is  our  duty  to  make  new 
effort*  for  the  presevation,  improvement,  and  civiliza 
tion  of  the  native  inhabitants.  The  hunter  state  can 
exist  only  in  the  vast,  uncultivated  desert.  It  yields  to 
the  more  dense  and  compact  form,  and  greater  force  of 
civilized  population  ;  and  of  right  it  ought  to  yield,  for 
the  earth  was  given  to  mankind  to  support  the  greatest 
number  of  which  it  is  capable,  and  no  tribe  or  people 
have  aright  to  withhold  from  the  wants  of  others  more 
than  is  necessary  for  their  own  support  and  comfort. 
It  is  gratifying  to  know,  that  the  reservations  of  land 
made  by  the  treaties  with  the  tribes  on  Lake  Erie,  wefi 
made  with  a  view  to  individual  ownership  among  them, 
and  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  by  all,  and  that  an  an 
nual  stipend  has  been  pledged  to  supply  their  other 
wants.  It  will  merit  the  consideration  of  Congress, 
whether  other  provision  not  stipulated  by  the  treaty, 
ought  to  be  made  for  these  tribes,  and  for  the  advance 
ment  of  the  liberal  and  humane  policy  of  the  United 
States  towards  all  the  tribes  within  our  limits,  and  more 
particularly  for  their  improvement  in  the  arts  of  civili 
zed  life. 

Among  the  advantages  incident  to  these  purchases, 
and  to  those  which  have  preceded,  the  security  v/hich 
may  thereby  be  afforded  to  our  inland  frontiers  is  pe 
culiarly  important.  With  a  strong  barrier,  consisting 
of  our  own  people,  thus  planted  on  the  Lakes,  the  Mis 
sissippi  and  the  Mobile,  with  the  protection  to  be  deriv 
ed  from  the  regular  force,  Indian  hostilities,  if  they  do 
not  altogether  cease,  will  henceforth  lose  their  terror. 
Fortifications  in  those  quarters,  to  any  extent,  will  not 
be  necessary,  and  the  expense  attending  them  may  be 


PRESIDENT'S  "TOUR.  311 

saved.  A  people  accustomed  to  the  use  of  fire-arms 
only,  as  the  Indian  tribes  are,  will  shun  even  moderate 
works  which  are  defended  hy  cannon.  Great  fortifica 
tions,  will,  therefore,  be  requisite  only,  in  future,  along 
the  coast,  and  at  some  points  in  the  interior,  connected 
with  it.  On  these  will  the  safety  of  our  toWns,  and  the 
commerce  of  our  great  rivers,  from  die  bay  of  Fundy 
to  the  Mississippi,  depend.  On  ^nese,  therefore, 
should  the  utmost  attention,  skill,  and  labour,  be  bes 
towed. 

A  considerable  and  rapid  augmentation  in  the  value 
of  the  public  lands,  proceeding  from  these  and  other 
obvious  causes,  may  henceforward  be  expected.  The 
difficulties  attending  early  emigrations  will  be  dissipated 
even  in  the  most  remote  parts.  Several  new  states 
have  been  admitted  into  our  union,  to  the  West  und 
South,  and  territorial  governments,  happily  organized, 
established  over  every  other  portion  in  which  there  is 
vacant  land  for  sale.  In  terminating  Indian  hostilities, 
as  must  soon  be  done,  in  a  formidable  shape,  at  least, 
the  emigration,  which  has  heretofore  been  great,  will 
probably  increase,  and  the  demand  for  land,  and  the 
augmentation  in  its  value,  be  in  like  proportion.  The 
great  increase  of  our  population,  throughout  the  Union, 
will  alone  produce  an  important  effect,  and  in  no  qu-rter 
will  it  be  so  sensibly  felt  as  in  those  in  contemplation. 
The  public  lands  are  a  public  stock,  which  ought  to  be 
disposed  of  to  the  best  advantage  for  the  nation.  The  na 
tion  should  derive  the  profit  proceeding  from  the  contin 
ual  rise  of  their  value.  Every  encouragement  should  be 
given  to  emigrants,  consistent  with  a  fair  compotJ'ion 
between  them  ;  but  that  competition  should  operate  in 
the  first  sale  to  the  advantage  of  the  nation  rather  than 
of  individuals.  Great  capitalists  will  derive  all  the 
benefit  incident  to  their  superior  wealth,  under  any 
mode  of  sale  which  may  be  adopted.  But  if  looking 
forward  to  the  rise  in  value  of  the  public  lands,  they 
should  have  the  opportunity  of  amassing  <vt  alow  price, 
vast  bodies  in  their  hands,  the  profit  will  accrue  to  thf.-m, 
and  not  to  the  public.  They  would  also  have  the  pow 
er,  in  that  degree,  to  control  the  emigration  and  settle- 


312  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

ment  in  such  a  manner  as  their  opinion  of  their  respec 
tive  interests  might  dictate.  I  submit  this  subject  to 
the  consideration  of  Congress,  that  such  further  pro 
vision  may  be  made  in  the  sale  of  the  public  lands,  with 
a  view  to  the  public  interest,  should  any  be  deemed 
expedient,  as  in  their  judgment  may  be  best  adapted  to 
the  object. 

When  we  confer  the  vast  extent  of  territory  with 
in  the  United  States,  the  great  amount  and  vidue  of  its 
productions,  the  connection  of  its  parts,  and  other  cir 
cumstances,   on  which  their  prosperity  and  happiness 
depend,  we  cannot  fail  to  entertain  a  high  sense  of  the 
advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  facility  which  may  be 
afforded  in  the  intercourse  between  them,  b}'  me;ms  of 
good  roads  and  canals.    Never  did  a  country  of  such  vast 
extent  offer  equal  inducements  to  the  improvements  of 
this  kind,  nor  ever  were  consequences  of  such  magni 
tude  involved  in  them.     As  this  subject  was  acted   on 
by  Congress  at  the  last  session,  and  there  may  be  a  dis 
position  to  revive  it  at  the  present,   I  have  brought  it 
into  view,  for  the  purpose  of  communicating  my  senti 
ments  on  a  very  important  circumstance  connected  with 
it,  with  a  freedom  and  candour  which  a  regard  for  the 
public  interest,  and  proper  respect  for  Congress,  re 
quire.     A    difference    of   opinion    has    existed,    from 
the  first  formation  of  our  Constitution   to  the  present 
time,  amongst  our  most  enlightened  and  virtuous  citi 
zens,  respecting  the  right  of  Congress  to  establish  such 
a  system  of  improvement.     Taking  into  view  the  trust 
with  which  I  am  now  honoured,  it  would  be  improper, 
after  what  has    passed,  that  this  discussion   should  be 
revived,  with  an  uncertainty  of  my  opinion  respecting 
the  right.     Disregarding  early  impressions,  I  have  be 
stowed  on  the  subject,   all  the  deliberation   which  its 
great  importance.  »r»d  n  just  sense  of  my  duty,  required  ; 
and  the  result  is,  'a  settled  conviction  in  my  mind,  that 
Congress  do  riot  possess  the  right.     It  is  not  contained 
in   any  of  the  spt»c:-ne-:l  powers  granted  to  Congress  ; 
nor  can  I  consider  i.<  incidental  to,  or  a  necessary  mean, 
viewed  on  the  mo:  •  liberal  scale,  for  carrying  into  ef 
fect  any  of  the  powers  which  are  specifically  granted. 


PRESIDENT'S    TOUli.  313 

In  communicating  this  result,  I  cannot  resist  the  obliga 
tion  which  I  feel,  to  suggest  to  Congress  the  propriety 
of  recommending  to  the  States  the  adoption  of  an  amend 
ment  to  the  constitution,  which  shall  give  to  Congress 
the  right  in  question.  In  cases  of  doubtful  construc 
tion,  especially  of  such  vital  interest,  it  comports  with 
the  nature  and  origin  of  our  institutions,  and  will  con 
tribute  much  to  preserve  them,  to  apply  to  our  con 
stituents  for  an  explicit  grant  of  the  power.  We  may 
confidently  rely,  that  if  it  appears  to  their  satisfaction, 
that  the  power  is  necessary,  it  will  always  be  granted. 
In  this  case  I  am  happy  to  observe,  thnt  experience  has 
afforded  the  most  ample  proof  of  its  utility,  and  that  the 
benign  spirit  of  conciliation  and  harmony,  which  now 
manifests  itself  throughout  our  Union,  promises  to  such 
a  recommendation  the  most  prompt  and  favourable  result. 
I  think  proper  to  suggest  also,  in  case  this  measure  is 
adopted,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  states  to  include, 
in  the  amendment  sought,  a  right  in  Congress  to  insti 
tute,  likewise,  seminaries  of  learning,  for  the  all-im 
portant  purpose  of  diffusing  knowledge  amongst  our 
fellow  citizens,  throughout  the  United  States. 

Our  manufactures  will  require  the  continued  atten 
tion  of  Congress.  The  capital  employed  in  them  is  con 
siderable,  and  the  knowledge  acquired  in  the  machine 
ry  and  fabric  of  all  the  most  useful  manufactures,  is  of 
great  value.  Their  preservation,  which  depends  on 
due  encouragement,  is  connected  with  the  high  inter 
ests  of  the  nation. 

Although  the  progress  of  the  public  buildings  has 
been  as  favourable  as  circumstances  have  permitted,  it 
is  to  be  regretted  that  the  Capitol  is  not  yet  in  a  state 
to  receive  you.  There  is  good  cause  to  presume, 
that  the  two  wings,  the  only  parts  as  yet  commenced, 
will  be  prepared  for  that  purpose  at  the  next  session. 
The  time  seems  now  to  have  arrived,  when  the  subject 
may  be  deemed  worthy  the  attention  of  Congress  on  a 
scale  adequate  to  national  purposes.  The  completion 
of  the  middle  building  will  be  necessary  to  the  conven 
ient  accommodation  of  Congress,  of  the  Committees, 
and  various  offices  belonging  to  it.  It  is  evident  that 
D  d 


3H  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the  other  public  buildings  are  altogether  insufficient 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  several  executive  de 
partments,  some  of  whom  are  much  crowded,  and 
even  subjected  to  the  necessity  of  obtaining  it  in  private 
buildings,  at  some  distance  from  the  head  of  the  depart 
ment,  and  with  inconvenience  to  the  management  of 
the  public  business.  Most  nations  have  taken  an  inter 
est  and  pride  in  the  improvement  and  ornament  of  their 
metropolis,  and  none  were  more  conspicuous  in  that 
respect  than  the  ancient  republics.  The  policy  which 
dictated  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  residence 
for  the  national  government,  and  the  spirit  in  which  it 
was  commenced,  and  has  been  prosecuted,  show  that 
such  improvement  was  thought  worthy  the  attention  of 
this  nation.  Its  central  position  between  the  northern 
and  southern  extremes  of  our  union,  and  its  approach 
to  the  west,  at  the  head  of  a  great  navigable  river, 
which  interlocks  with  the  western  waters,  prove  the 
wisdom  of  the  councils  which  established  it.  Nothing 
appears  to  be  more  reasonable  and  proper,  than  that 
convenient  accommodation  should  be  provided,  on  a 
well  digested  plan,  for  the  heads  of  the  several  depart 
ments,  and  for  the  attorney-general  ;  and  it  is  believed 
that  the  public  ground  in  the  city,  applied  to  these  ob 
jects,  will  be  amply  sufficient.  I  submit  this  subject  to 
the  consideration  of  Congress,  that  such  further  provis 
ion  may  be  made  in  it,  as  to  them  may  seem  proper. 

In  contemplating  the  happy  situation  of  the  United 
States,  our  attention  is  drawn,  with  peculiar  interest,  to 
the  surviving  officers  and  soldiers  of  our  revolutionary 
army,  who  so  eminently  contributed,  by  their  services, 
to  lay  its  foundation.  Most  of  those  very  meritorious 
citizens  have  paid  the  debt  of  nature,  and  gone  to  re 
pose.  It  is  believed,  that  among  the  survivors,  there 
are  some  not  provided  for  by  existing  laws,  who  are 
reduced  to  indigence,  and  even  to  real  distress.  These 
men  have  a  claim  on  the  gratitude  of  their  country,  and 
it  will  do  honour  to  their  country  to  provide  for  them. 
The  lapse  of  a  few  years  more,  and  the  opportunity  will 
be  forever  lost  :  indeed,  so  long  already  has  been  the 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  315 

interval,  that  the  number  to  be  benefitted  by  any  pro 
vision  which  may  be  made,  will  not  be  great. 

It  appearing  in  a  satisfactory  manner  that  the  revenue 
arising  from  imposts  and  tonnage,  and  from  the  sale  of 
the  public  lands,  will  be  fully  adequate  to  the  support 
of  the  civil  government,  of  the  present  military  and  na 
val  establishments,  including  the  annual  augmentation 
of  the  letter  to  the  extent  provided  for,  to  the  payment 
of  the  interest  on  the  public  debt,  and  to  the  extinguish 
ment  of  it  at  the  times  authorized,  without  the  aid  of 
internal  taxes,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  recommend  to 
Congress  their  repeal.  To  impose  taxes  when  the 
public  exigencies  require  them,  is  an  obligation  of  the 
most  sacred  character,  especially  with  a  free  people. 
The  faithful  fulfilment  of  it  is  among  the  highest  proofs 
of  their  virtue,  and  capacity  for  self  government.  To 
dispense  with  taxess  when  it  may  be  done  with  perfect 
safety,  is  equally  the  duty  of  their  representatives.  In 
this  instance  we  have  the  satisfaction  to  know  that  they 
were  imposed  when  the  demand  was  imperious,  and 
have  been  sustained  with  exemplary  fidelit}'.  I  have 
io  add,  that,  however  gratifying  it  may  be  to  me,  re 
garding  the  prosperous  and  happy  condition  of  our 
country,  to  recommend  the  repeal  of  these  taxes  at  this 
time,  I  shall,  nevertheless,  be  attentive  to  events, and,, 
should  any  future  emergency  occur,  be  not  less  prompt 
to  suggest  such  measures  and  burthens,  as  may  then  be- 
requisite  and  proper. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

Washington,  Dec.  2,   1817. 

Without  alluding  to  the  distinct  subjects  embraced 
in  the  preceding  Message,  it  may,  unhesitatingly  be 
said,  that  it  is  a  State  Paper,  which  will  always  unite 
the  sentiments  of  the  world  in  admiration  of  the  writer 
of  it  ;  and  excite  the  envy  of  all  mankind,  except  the 
citizens  of  the  American  Republic,  who  participate  in 
the  blessings  therein  described.  The  sovereigns  of 


31*5  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the  Eastern  world,  when  they  meet  their  councils,  ad 
dress  them  with  an  exultation  at  their  victories  over  a 
rival  nation  ;  or  in  depression,  at  the  diminution  or  des- 
structioi)  of  their  own  power.  At  one  time  they  boast 
of  victories  over  humanity — at  another,  they  wrest 
from  the  degraded  peasant  the  last  pittance  of  his  hard 
earnings,  to  enable  them  to  gain  other  victories  over 
humbled  and  degraded  man.  The  food  that  is  necessa 
ry  for  the  sustenance  of  the  labouring  poor,  is  ravished 
from  them  to  supply  the  army  and  the  navy  ;  and  the 
oblivious  draught,  which  for  a  season,  makes  them  for 
get  their  oppressors  ;ind  their  oppressions,  is  torn  from 
them  in  the  same  way,  and  for  the  same  purpose. 

A  momentary  survey  of  Europe,  (for  we  scarcely 
think  of  Asia  and  Africa  when  contemplating  the  '  scene 
of  man ,')  will  show  the  difference  between  the  situation 
of  man,  equally  entitled  to  rights  with  ourselves,  in  that 
continent  and  in  our  beloved  America. 

When  Russians,  Prussians,  Germans  and  Englishmen, 
utter  the  piteous  groans  of  misery,  they  are  directed 
to  gaze  upon  the  various  stars  and  different  "  orders" 
that  decorate  the  bodies  of  their  generals.  The  abus 
ed  power  of  princes,  has  perverted  the  beautiful  order 
of  nature,  and  man  seems  to  have  lost  the  rank  assign 
ed  him  by  the  wisdom  of  the  Creator. 

The  contrast  produced  to  this  gloomy  picture  by  the 
American  Republic,  is  one  of  the  most  striking  in  the 
civilized  world.  The  President's  Message  is  not  that 
glowing  representation  which  contradicts  reality.  Its 
truth  is  acknowledged  by  Americans  with  gratitude — 
by  Europeans  with  astonishment.  We  have  a  popula 
tion,  well  educated,  well  fed,  and  well  protected,  We 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  317 

can  hardly  be  said  to  have  a  standing  army  ;  but  we 
have  eight  hundred  thousand  militia,  disciplined  and 
armed,  which  costs  the  republic  nothing-  At  a  mo 
ment's  warning,  when  war  is  declared,  they  are  con 
verted  from  citizens  to  soldiers  to  defend  their  home. 
In  peace,  they  again  become  citizens.  With  a  treasury 
overflowing,  we'  pay  no  taxes.  PERPETUITY  TO  OUR 
REPUBLIC. 

Dd2 


THE 
SECOND  TOUR 

OF 

JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
IN   1818. 


THE  determination  of  the  President,  soon  after  his 
election,  to  explore  the  extensive  Republic  over  which 
he  has  presided,  and  still  presides  with  such  universal 
popularity,  excited  the  undivided  pleasure  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  His  first  Tour  carried  him  through  a  large 
and  very  important  section  of  the  American  Republic. 
The  plain  and  unostentatious  manner  in  which  he  tra 
velled — the  unaffected  and  dignified  manner  in  which  he 
received  and  reciprocated  the  civilities  bestowed  upon 
him — the  interesting  and  impressive  manner  in  which 
he  answered  the  numerous  addresses  delivered — the 
deep  interest  he  manifested  in  the  Agricultural,  Manu 
facturing,  Commercial,  and  Mechanical  interests  of  the 
people,  all  tended  to  increase  the  pleasure  of  an  inter 
view  between  a  great  Magistrate  and  the  citizens  of  a 
great  Republic. 

The  primary   object,  however,  of  his  first  Tour, 
was  to  devise  the  best  possible  mode  of  defending  the 


320  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

extensive  sea-board  and  frontier  of  the  northern  and 
eastern  states.  A  sanguinary  war  had  recently  exposed 
them  to  the  ravages  of  a  powerful,  an  insolent,  and  in 
many  respects,  a  barbarous  foe.  Naval  demonstrations 
had  clearly  evinced  the  necessity  of  strong  fortifications 
in  our  harbours,  and  a  regular  line  of  military  posts 
upon  our  frontiers.  The  President,  having  been  him 
self  a  distinguished  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  revolu 
tion,  could  view  the  country  with  the  eye  of  a  soldier  ; 
being  accompanied  by  the  accomplished  Gen.  SWIFT, 
the  then  Chief  Engineer  in  the  American  army,  he 
availed  himself  of  his  military  science  in  determining 
the  places  which  formed  the  most  proper  military  sites. 
But  although  this  was  his  primary  object,  his  capacious 
mind  embraced  within  its  excursive  range  every  great 
subject  connected  with  the  permanent  interest  of  his 
beloved  country.  As  a  scholar  he  viewed  the  progress 
of  the  higher  branches  of  literature,  and  saw  a  portion 
of  citizens  who  in  the  eastern  world,  are  called  the  pea 
santry^  subject  to  the  capricious  whims  of  imperious 
landlords,  and  the  extortions  of  profligate  govern 
ments.  He  there  saw  them  FREEMEN,  owners  of  the 
soil  they  cultivated,  and  enjoying  the  blessings  of  a 
mild  and  equal  government. 

After  completing  this  laborious  and  interesting  Tour, 
the  President  returned  to  the  seat  of  government, 
where  he  soon  after  met  the  grand  council  of  the  Re 
public,  and  presented  to  them  \\isfirst  Message,  al 
ready  inserted. 

Devoting  himself  to  the  important  duties  devolved 
upon  him  by  hi.-*  high  office,  he  spent  the  succeeding 
winter  and  spring  at  the  seat  of  government. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  321 

•*•* 

Soon  after  the  conclusion  of  the  interesting  session 
of  Congress  in  1817 — 18,  and  after  arranging  the  im 
portant  affairs  of  the  Cabinet,  the  President,  in  pursu 
ance  of  his  determination  to  explore  every  portion  of 
the  Republic,  where  it  was  practicable,  and  where  it 
was  most  exposed  to  the  naval  and  military  forces  of  our 
enemies,  prepared  to  survey  the  CHESAPEAKE  bay,  and 
to  explore  the  country  lying  upon  its  extensive  shores. 

About  the  20th  May,  1818,  he  left  the  seat  of  govern 
ment,  and  proceeded  to  Annapolis,  the  political  capital 
of  the  state  of  Maryland.  He  was  accompanied  by  the 
Hon.  JOHN  C.  CALHOUN.  Secretary  of  War,  the  Hon. 
BENJAMIN  CROWNINSHIELD,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and 
other  gentlemen  of , distinction. 

In  no  respect  does  our  country  present  a  more  strik 
ing  difference  from  others,  than  in  the  course  pursued 
by  our  Rulers  in  elevated  stations.  I  need  not  repeat 
what  was  said  in  the  few  remarks  introductory  to  the 
first  Tour,  published  soon  after  it  was  ended  ;  hut  the 
admiration  of  our  countrymen  cannot  too  often,  nor  too 
highly  be  excited,  by  calling  their  attention  to  the  un 
ceasing  assiduity  with  which  our  President,  and  the 
members  of  the  Cabinet  discharge  the  duties  assigned 
them  by  the  Constitution  and  the  Government.  What 
the  Rulers  of  other  nations  do  by  agents,  our  Rulers 
do  themselves.  The  President  and  the  heads  of  two 
departments,  leave  their  residences  to  determine  the 
best  mode  of  defending  a  section  of  the  union  peculiar 
ly  exposed  to  the  incursions  of  a  naval  force,  and  which 
had  recently  felt  the  necessity  of  more  efficient  defence. 

The  citizens  of  Annapolis,  remembering  the  splen 
did  manner  in  which  the  President  was  received  every 


322  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

where  through  hi*  first  Tour,  were  determined  not  to  be 
excelled  in  civility,  or  hospitality,  by  their  Northern 
and  Eastern  brethren.  A  splendid  public  dinner  was 
given  him,  at  which  Chancellor  KILTY  presided.  The 
following  Address  was  delivered. 

TO  JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT    OF  THE    UNITED    STATES. 

The  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen,  and  Common 
Council  of  the  City  of  Annapolis,  in  behalf  of  them 
selves  and  their  fellow  citizens,  beg  leave  to  welcome 
you  on  your  arrival  ;  to  express  the  satisfaction  which 
your  visit  to  the  Metropolis  of  Maryland  has  occasioned, 
and  to  offer  any  assistance  in  their  power,  for  accom 
plishing  the  object  of  it. 

Many  of  the  inhabitants  recollect  your  residence  a- 
mongst  them  as  a  member  of  congress  in  the  year  1783. 
since  which  your  public  duties  have  called  you  to  other 
state?,  and  other  climes. 

The  rigour  of  the  season  at  that  time  was  unfavora 
ble  to  a  view  of  the  situation  of  the  place  and  its  sur 
rounding  waters,  the  prospect  of  which  is  now  expand 
ed  and  embellished  by  the  military  establishments  erec 
ted  by  the  United  States,  which  of  course  will  come 
within  your  observation. 

They  avail  themselves  of  the  first  opportunity  that 
has  occurred  of  offering  their  congratulations  on  your 
election  to  the  highest  office  in  the  gift  of  our  free  and 
happy  country,  and  of  testifying  their  sense  of  the  wis 
dom  and  firmness  which  have  since  marked  your  ad 
ministration. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  323 

A  continued  course  of  arduous  and  useful  services  in 
our  revolutionary  struggle,  and  since  in  various  impor 
tant  trusts,  had  led  the  people  to  anticipate  such  a  re 
sult,  at  the  same  time  that  they  pointed  to  the  most  ap 
propriate  reward. 

They  conclude  by  expressing  their  best  wishes  for 
your  health  and  happiness — their  attachment  to  you  as 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  union,  and  their  respect  for 
your  public,  and  private  character. 

J.  RANDALL,  Mayor. 

May  23,  1818. 

REPLY    OF    THE    PRESIDENT. 

To  the  Mayor,  Recorder,  Mdermen  and  Common  Council 
of  the  City  of  Annapolis. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS — In  performing  a  duty  imposed 
on  me  by  the  principles  of  our  excellent  constitution, 
which  I  have  undertaken,  at  least  with  zeal,  to  give  all 
the  effect  in  my  power,  to  the  salutary  purposes  of  the 
laws  providing  for  the  public  defence,  it  is  very  gratify 
ing  to  me,  to  have  found  it  consistent  with  that  duty,  to 
make  a  visit  to  this  metropolis,  and  I  beg  you,  and  my 
other  fellow  citizens,  its  inhabitants,  to  accept  my  grate 
ful  acknowledgement,  for  the  kind  reception  given  me. 

In  recurring  to  the  period  of  1783,  when  congress 
held  their  session  here,  you  bring  to  view,  incidents  in 
the  highest  degree  important.  It  was  then,  and  here, 
after  a  long  and  arduous  struggle,  which  secured  our 
independence,  that  the  treaty  of  peace  was  ratified.  It 
was  then,  and  here,  that  the  illustrious  commander  of 
our  revolutionary  armies,  after  performing  services, 
which  a  grateful  country  can  never  forget,  nor  time  ob- 


32-1  PRESIDENT'S  TOTJR. 

literate,  restored  his  commission  to  the  authority  from 
whom  he  had  received  it.  To  me  these  events,  so 
profoundly  interesting  to  all,  were  peculiarly  imposing 
and  impressive.  It  was  then,  in  very  early  life  that  I 
commenced  my  career  in  the  national  councils,  in  which 
I  have  since  so  long  continued.  To  meet  again,  so  many 
of  those  who  were  present  at  those  great  events,  some 
of  whom,  were  parties  to  them,  affords  me  the  highest 
gratification. 

For  the  good  opinion  which  you  have  been  pleased 
to  express  of  my  conduct,  in  the  various  trusts  commit 
ted  to  me,  since,  by  my  country,  1  have  all  the  sensi 
bility  which  such  sentiments  ought  to  inspire  in  the 
mind  of  one,  who  considers  the  approbation  of  his  fel 
low  citizens,  the  best  reward  which  he  can  receive  for 
his  services. 

In  performing  the  duty  which  brought  me  here,  I 
shall  be  happy  to  receive  the  aid  which  you  have  offer 
ed,  and  in  whatever  situation  I  may  hereafter  be  placed, 
I  shall  always  entertain  for  your  prosperity  and  happi 
ness,  the  most  unfeigned  solicitude. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

The  town  of  Annapolis,  although  small,  has  many 
attractions.  It  is  delightfully  situated  upon  the  south 
bank  of  the  beautiful  river  Severn,  about  two  miles 
above  its  entrance  into  the  Chesapeake  bay.  It  has  a 
state  house,  an  Episcopal  and  a  Methodist  church,  and 
many  handsome  private  residences.  It  has  but  little 
pretensions  to  commercial  consequence  ;  indeed  Balti 
more  commands  almost  the  whole  trade  upon  this  im 
mense  bay. 


PRESIDENTS  TOUK. 


But  although  this  town,  in  regard  to  extent  of  busi 
ness  or  population,  does  not  rank  with  the  great  towns 
in  the  Republic,  it  will  always  be  remembered  for  two 
of  the  most  interesting  eveuts  that  have  occurred  in  the 
history  of  our  country.  It  was  here  the  Treaty  of 
Peace,  by  which  Great  Britain  acknowledged  the  In 
dependence  of  the  American  Republic,  was  ratified. 

The  other  event  would  calJ  forth  reflections  suffi 
cient  to  fill  a  volume.  The  history  of  the  world  is  preg 
nant  with  examples  of  men,  who,  professing  devotion 
to  their  country,  and  love  to  their  countrymen,  have 
roused  them  to  the  resistance  of  abused  power,  arid  led 
them  to  victory  and  glory  :  and  then  have  assumed  de 
spotic  power  themselves.  The  limits  of  this  work 
precludes  the  extent  to  which  instances  would  enlarge 
it. 

It  was  reserved  for  the  "  OLD  CONGRESS"  of  1783, 
and  the  people  of  Annapolis  to  witness  a  far  different 
scene.  It  was  reserved  for  them  to  behold  a  war-worn 
veteran  —  the  idol  of  the  revolutionary  soldiery  —  the 
man  who  had  a  monument  erected  in  every  American's 
bosom  —  who  might  have  put  himself  upon  a  throne, 
had  he  wished  it,  —  come  forward  in  all  the  majestic  dig 
nity  of  a  virtuous  Republican,  and  surrender  back  to 
Congress,  the  power  with  which  they  had  invested 
him. 

The  President,  with  his  suite,  very  minutely  examin 
ed  the  waters  near  Annapolis,  in  regard  to  their  fitness 
for  a  naval  depot. 

He  here  embarked  upon  the  bosom  of  the  CHESA 
PEAKE. 

This  is  the  largest  bay  yet  discovered  in  the  known 
Ee 


326  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

world.  The  waters  of  the  Atlantic  enter  it  between 
Cape  Henry  and  Cape  Charles.  The  waters  of  the 
Potomac,  Rappahannoc,  York,  James,  Patuxent,  Severn, 
Patapsco,  Gunpowder,  and  Susquehanna,  from  the  fer 
tile,  picturesque,  and  beautiful  country  lying  West  of 
it ;  and  those  of  the  Elk,  Chester,  Choptank,  Nanticoke, 
Wicomico,  and  Pocornoke,  which  water  the  country  lying 
East  of  it.  It  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  in 
land  waters  in  the  Republic. 

It  would  fill  pages  to  recount  the  events  that  have 
taken  place  upon  its  bosom  and  upon  its  shores.  It  can 
not  here  be  done.  The  President,  after  examining 
every  portion  of  it,  with  a  view  of  determining  upon 
the  best  mode  of  defending  it,  proceeded  to  Norfolk  in 
Virginia,  where  he  was  received  upon  June  7th,  in  a 
manner  worthy  of  Virginia  elegance  and  hospitality. 

In  the  President,  they  recognized  a  native  citizen, 
whom  "  the  people  delight  to  honour."  He  was  address 
ed  as  follows  : 

TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED  STATES. 

SIR — The  opportunity  which  enables  the  court  and 
common  council  of  the  borough  of  Norfolk,  to  offer  you 
their  congratulations,  affords  an  indulgence  no  less 
pleasing  to  their  personal  sensibilities,  than  gratifying 
to  their  national  pride. 

Living  under  a  government  most  happily  adapted  to 
secure  and  diffuse  political  liberty,  and  to  give  protec 
tion  to  civil  and  religious  immunities,  it  is  above  all, 
our  peculiar  boast,  that  we  enjoy  these  blessings  with 
out  alloy — without  insult  or  injury  to  a  rational  and  en 
lightened  sense  of  equal  justice.  The  people  of  the  old 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  327 

world,  enamored  of  the  artificial  pageantry  of  crowns 
and  coronets,  pay  obsequious  homage  to  the  arbitrary 
distinctions  of  hereditary  rank,  and  adventitious  birth. 
The  genius  of  our  republican  constitution,  invests  the 
chief  executive  magistrate,  with  the  real  grandeur  of 
exalted  virtue,  and  the  homage  he  receives,  is  the  pure 
reward  of  acknowledged  public  worth,  consecrated  by 
the  unbiassed  and  unerring  verdict  of  the  public  will. 

A  life  devoted  from  early  youth  to  the  service  of 
your  country,  and  illustrated  by  the  distinguished  part 
you  have  taken  in  various  prominent  scenes,  may  justly 
challenge,  sir,  the  honors  conferred  by  your  recent 
elevation  to  the  presidential  seat — And  the  vivid  de 
monstrations  of  unaffected  joy,  which  have  attended 
your  tour  through  the  states,  bear  ample  testimony, 
that  the  spotless  tenor  of  your  private  character,  has 
established  a  claim,  equally  estimable  and  gratifying  in 
the  endearing  affections  of  the  people. 

A  resolute  adherence  to  the  principles  avowed  in 
your  inaugural  message,  cannot  fail  to  impart  continued 
stability  and  vigor  to  our  free  institutions,  as  far  as  de 
pends  upon  a  zealous  and  faithful  discharge  of  your 
executive  functions — And,  that  a  firm,  liberal  and  com 
prehensive  policy,  the  result  of  matured  experience, 
invigorated  by  an  enlightened  and  ardent  patriotism, 
will  secure  to  your  administration,  an  enviable  rank  in 
our  national  annals,  an  impartial  review  of  your  whole 
public  conduct,  does  not  allow  us  to  entertain  a  doubt. 

The  personal  attention,  Sir,  which  you  have  thought 
proper  to  bestow  on  the  measures  adopted  by  the  gen 
eral  government,  for  the  defence  of  our  inland  frontier, 
and  sea  coast,  and  the  establishments  of  naval  arsenals, 


328  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

confidently  assures  us,  that  our  country  will  reap  the 
full  benefit  of  these  measures  from  your  extended  ob 
servation,  practical  knowledge,  and  judicious  discrimi 
nation.^ — Tried  in  the  conflict  which  achieved  our  lib 
erties,  the  large  share  you  bore  in  the  late  eventful 
struggle,  to  preserve  them  inviolate,  attested  your  va 
luable  services,  your  distinguished  virtue,  and  sleep 
less  devotion  to  the  common  cause.  These  high  claims 
to  the  public  confidence  and  gratitude,  derive  fresh 
lustre  from  your  earnest  solicitude  to  entrench  and  se 
cure  the  momentous  interests  committed  to  you,  by  a 
prompt  and  vigorous  application  of  the  national  resour 
ces. — With  great  pride  and  pleasure,  sir,  we  perceive 
in  the  efforts  you  are  making,  our  best  security  from 
foreign  violence  ;  and  should  the  mad  ambition,  the  ha 
tred  and  jealousy  of  other  governments,  again  call  forth 
the  martial  energies  of  this  young  republic,  we  shall 
have  abundant  cause  to  appreciate  that  precaution, 
which  employs  the  calm  of  peace  to  arrest  and  disarm 
the  shock  of  war. 

In  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Norfolk,  we  tender  you  a 
cordial  welcome  among  us — We  most  sincerely  trust, 
Sir,  that  the  harmony  which  reigns  through  the  union, 
may  be  uninterrupted — that  our  beloved  country  may 
ever  continue  under  the  favoring  smile  of  Providence, 
to  experience  the  salutary  fruits  of  mild  government 
and  equal  laws — and  that  the  close  of  your  political  ca 
reer,  may  be  gladdened  by  the  most  precious  of  all 
earthly  consolations — that  of  having  done  your  duty. 
JOHN  E.  HOLT,  Mayor. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  329 

The  Presidents  Answer. 
To  John  E.  Holt,  Esq.  Mayor  of  the  Borough  of  Norfolk. 

SIR — No  object  is  more  interesting  to  the  United 
States  than  the  adoption  of  a  judicious  system  of  de 
fence,  and  the  establishment  and  construction  of  such 
fortifications  as  may  be  found  necessary  for  the  security 
of  our  maritime  and  inland  frontier.  Such  a  system, 
well  executed,  may  prevent  wars,  and  it  cannot  fail, 
should  wars  become  inevitable,  to  mitigate  their  calami 
ties.  The  attention  of  congress  has  been  wisely  direc 
ted  to  this  great  object,  and  ample  funds  have  been  pro 
vided  for  it.  It  is  my  duty  to  exert  my  utmost  efforts 
to  give  it  effect ;  on  these  efforts  my  country  may  rely. 

It  is  our  felicity  to  live  under  a  government  capable 
of  securing  to  us,  by  a  wise,  honest  and  efficient  exer 
cise  of  its  powers,  all  the  blessings  of  which  civil  soci 
ety  is  susceptible.  While  the  movement  of  the  govern 
ment  in  all  its  branches,  corresponds  with  the  great 
and  sublime  principles  on  which  it  is  founded,  no  citi 
zen  will  ever  have  cause  to  complain  that  any  of  his 
rights  have  been  violated.  Happily,  this  faithful  and 
harmonious  movement  is  placed  beyond  the  reach  of 
danger. — Deriving  all  its  power  from  the  people,  it 
must  be  administered  for  their  advantage,  while  the  peo 
ple  continue  to  be  virtuous,  well  informed,  and  attentive 
to  their  interest.  It  is  a  cause  of  heartfelt  satisfaction 
to  us  all,  and  of  grateful  acknowledgment  to  the  Su 
preme  Creator  of  the  world,  that  the  operations  of  our 
government,  have  fully  confirmed  all  the  most  flattering 
antic :p  »tions  that  were  indulged  in  its  favor. 

To  the  support  of  these  great  principles  my  whole 
E  e  2 


330  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

life  has  been  devoted.  My  conduct,  in  many  high  and 
important  trusts,  is  known  to  my  country.  If  it  has 
given  me  any  claim  to  the  confidence  of  my  fellow-cit 
izens,  I  feel  that  they  have  not  been  unmindful  of  it. 
The  same  principles  and  zeal,  which  you  have  approv 
ed  in  the  review  which  you  have  taken  of  the  past,  will 
continue  to  animate  me  in  future. 

For  the  kind  reception  which  you  have  given  me,  on 
behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Norfolk,  I  beg  you  to  tender 
to  them  my  sincere  thanks,  with  my  best  wishes  for 
their  prosperity  and  welfare. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

Norfolk  is  situated  upon  Elizabeth  river.  It  is  very 
advantageously  calculated  for  the  prosecution  of  foreign 
trade,  and  with  the  different  states.  It  contains  about 
10,000  inhabitants. 

The  President,  having  accomplished  the  principal 
object  of  his  Tour,  the  survey  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
and  the  adjoining  country,  commenced  his  return  to  the 
seat  of  government  through  the  interior  of  Virginia. 
He  every  where  received  the  most  affectionate  and  res 
pectful  demonstrations  of  attachment.  Although,  in 
the  President  we  see  the  political  head  of  twenty-two 
sovereign,  independent,  and  confederated  states,  equally 
solicitous  for  the  happiness  of  the  whole  ;  and  as  he 
had  declared — "  Knowing  no  difference  between  the  just 
claims  of  one  portion  of  our  country  and  another ;"  yetit 
is  impossible  to  be  divested  of  the  natural  attachment 
which  is  felt  in  every  generous  bosom,  for  the  land  of 
our  nativity.  In  JAMES  MONROE,  the  people  of  Virgin 
ia  recognized  a  native  citizen — and  one  who  had  been 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  331 

called  to  fill  the  highest  offices  in  the  government  of 
the  state.  In  the  people  of  Virginia  he  saw  his  neigh 
bours  and  former  associates,  with  whom  he  had  sus 
tained  the  most  interesting  connections  in  political  life. 

The  President  passed  through  the  state,  delighted 
and  imparting  delight  ;  a  state  that  yields  to  none  in  the 
union,  in  genuine  patriotism — a  state  that  has  produced 
tfte  most  brilliant  constellation  of  Scholars,  Statesmen, 
and  Heroes — a  state  that  has  blessed  the  Republic  with 
a  WASHINGTON,  a  JEFFERSON  a  MADISON  and  a  MON 
ROE. 

The  President  arrived  at  Washington  upon  the  17th 
June,  where  he  was  received,  as  upon  his  return  from  his 
first  Tour,  with  the  most  enthusiastic  pleasure.  He  re 
sumed  the  arduous  and  important  duties  of  his  office, 
with  increasing  knowledge  of  his  country  and  its  in 
terests. 


At  the  conclusion  of  the  account  of  thejirst  Tour  of 
the  President,  I  have  inserted  his  first  Message  to  Con 
gress  ;  and  think  I  can  in  no  way  impart  so  much  value 
to  this  brief  narrative  of  hi«  second  Tour,  as  by  incor 
porating  into  it  his  second  Message. 

PRESIDENT'S  MESSAGE. 

Fellow  Citizens  of  the  Senate, 

and  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 
The  auspicious  circumstances  under  which  you  will 
commence  the  duties  of  the  present  session,  will  lighten 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

the  burthen,  inseparable  from  the  high  trust  committed 
to  you.  The  fruits  of  the  earth  have  been  unusually 
abundant  ;  commerce  has  flourished  ;  the  revenue  has 
exceeded  the  most  favourable  anticipation,  and  peace 
and  amity  are  preserved  with  foreign  nations,  on  con 
ditions  just  and  honourable  to  our  country.  For  these 
inestimable  blessings,  we  cannot  but  be  grateful  to  that 
Providence  which  watches  over  the  destinies  of  nation*. 
As  the  term  limited  for  the  operation  of  the  commer 
cial  convention  with  Great  Britain,  will  expire  early  in 
the  month  of  July  next,  and  it  was  deemed  important 
that  there  should  be  no  interval,  during  which  that  por 
tion  of  our  commerce  which  was  provided  for  by  that 
convention,  should  not  be  regulated  either  by  arrange 
ment  between  the  two  governments,  or  by  the  authori 
ty  of  Congress,  the  Minister  of  the  United  States  at 
London,  was  instructed,  early  in  the  last  summer,  to 
invite  the  attention  of  the  British  government  to  the 
subject,  with  a  viftw  to  that  object.  He  was  instructed 
to  propose,  also,  that  the  negociation  which  it  was  wish 
ed  to  open,  might  extend  to  the  general  commerce  of 
the  two  countries,  and  to  every  other  interest  and  un 
settled  difference  between  them  ;  particularly  those  re 
lating  to  impressment,  the  fisheries  and  boundaries,  in 
the  hope  that  an  arrangement  might  be  made,  on  princi 
ples  of  reciprocal  advantage,  which  might  comprehend, 
and  provide  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  for  all  these  high 
concerns.  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  state,  that  the  pro 
posal  was  received  by  the  British  government  in  the 
spirit  th«it  prompted  it  ;  and  that  a  negociation  has  been 
opened  at  London,  embracing  all  these  objects.  On 
full  consideration  of  the  great  extent  and  magnitude  of 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  333 

the  trust,  it  was  thought  proper  to  commit  it  to  not  less 
than  two  of  our  distinguished  citizens;  and,  inconse 
quence,  the  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Pleni 
potentiary  of  the  United  States,  at  Paris,  has  been  as 
sociated  with  our  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  at  London  ;  to  both  of  whom  corres 
ponding  instructions  have  been  given,  and  they  are  en 
gaged  in  the  discharge  of  its  duties.  It  is  proper  to 
add,  that  to  prevent  any  inconvenience  resulting  from 
the  delay  incident  to  a  negociation  on  so  many  impor 
tant  subjects,  it  was  agreed,  before  entering  on  it, 
that  the  existing  convention  should  be  continued  for  a 
term  not  less  than  eight  years. 

Our  relations  with  Spain  remain  nearly  in  the  state 
in  which  they  were  at  the  close  of  the  last  session. — 
The  convention  of  1802,  providing  for  the  adjustment 
of  a  certain  portion  of  the  claims  of  our  citizens  for  in 
juries  sustained  by  spoliations,  and  so  long  suspended 
by  the  Spanish  government,  has  at  length  been  ratified 
by  it ;  but  no  arrangement  has  yet  been  made  for  the 
payment  of  another  portion  of  like  claims,  not  less  ex 
tensive  or  well  founded,  or  for  other  classes  of  claims, 
or  for  the  settlement  of  boundaries.  These  subjects 
have  again  been  brought  under  consideration  in  both 
countries,  but  no  agreement  has  been  entered  into  re 
specting  them.  In  the  mean  time,  events  have  occur 
red  which  clearly  prove  the  ill  effect  of  the  policy, 
which  that  government  has  so  long  pursued,  on  the 
friendly  relations  of  the  two  countries,  which,  it  is  pre 
sumed,  it  is  at  least  of  as  much  importance  to  Spain,  as 
to  the  United  States  to  maintain.  A  state  of  things  has 
existed  in  the  Floridas,  the  tendency  of  which  has  been 


334  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

obvious  to  all  who  have  paid  the  slightest  attention  to 
the  progress  of  affairs  in  that  quarter.    Throughout  the 
whole  of  these  provinces  to  which  the  Spanish  title  ex 
tends,  the  government  of  Spain  has  scarcely  been  felt. 
Its  authority  has  been  confined,  almost  exclusively,  to 
the  walls  of  Pensacola  and  St.  Augustine,  within  which 
only  small  garrisons  have  been  maintained.     Adven 
turers  from  every  country,  fugitives  from  justice,  and 
absconding  slaves,  have  found  an  asylum  there.     Seve 
ral  tribes  of  Indians,   strong  in  the  number  of  their 
warriors,  remarkable  for  their  ferocity,  and  whose  set 
tlements  extend  to  our  limits,  inhabit  those  provinces. 
These  different  hordes  of  people,  connected  together, 
disregarding,  on  the  one  side,   the  authority  of  Spain, 
and  protected,  on  the  other,  by  an  imaginary  line  which 
separates  Florida  from  the  United  States,  have  violated 
our  laws  prohibiting  the  introduction  of  slaves,   have 
practised  various  frauds   on  our  revenue,  and  commit 
ted  every  kind  of  outrage  on  our  peaceable  citizens, 
which  their  proximity  to  us  enabled  them  to  perpetrate. 
The  invasion  of  Amelia  Island  last  year,  by  a  small  band 
of  adventurers,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty  in 
number,  who  wrested  it  from  the  inconsiderable  Spanish 
force  stationed  there,  and  held  it  several  months,  during 
which,  a  single  feeble  effort  only  was  made  to  recover 
it,  which  failed,  clearly  proves,  how  completely  extinct 
the  Spanish  authority  had  become,  as  the  conduct  of 
those  adventurers,  while  in  possession  of  the  island,  as 
distinctly  shews  the  pernicious  purposes  for  which  their 
combination  had  been  formed. 

This  country,  had,  in  fact,  become  the  theatre  of  ev 
ery  species  of  lawless  adventure.     With  little  popula- 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  335 

lion  of  its  own,  the  Spanish  authority  almost  extinct, 
and  the  colonial  governments  in  a  state  of  revolution, 
having  no  pretension  to  it,  and  sufficiently  employed  in 
their  own  concerns,  it  was,  in  a  great  measure,  dere 
lict,  and  the  object  of  cupidity,  to  every  adventurer.  A 
system  of  buccaneering  was  rapidly  organizing  over  it, 
which  menaced^  in  its  conquences,  the  lawful  commerce 
of  every  nation,  and  particularly  of  the  United  States  ; 
while  it  presented  a  temptation  to  every  people,  on 
whose  seduction  its  success  principally  depended.  In 
regard  to  the  United  States,  the  pernicious  effects  of 
this  unlawful  combination,  was  not  confined  to  the 
ocean  ;  the  Indian  tribes  have  constituted  the  effec 
tive  force  in  Florida.  With  these  tribes  these  ad 
venturers  had  formed,  at  an  early  period,  a  connec 
tion,  with  a  view  to  avail  themselves  of  that  force  to 
promote  their  own  projects  of  accumulation  and  ag 
grandizement.  It  is  to  the  interference  of  some  of 
these  adventurers,  in  misrepresenting  the  claims  and 
titles  of  the  Indians  to  land,  and  in  practising  on  their 
savage  propensities,  that  the  Seminole  war  is  principal 
ly  to  be  traced.  Men  who  thus  connect  themselves 
with  savage  communities,  and  stimulate  them  to  war, 
which  is  always  attended  on  their  part  with  acts  of  bar 
barity,  the  most  shocking,  deserve  to  be  viewed  in  a 
worse  light  than  the  savages.  They  would  certainly 
have  no  claim  to  an  immunity  from  the  punishment, 
which,  according  to  the  rules  of  warfare  practised  by 
the  savages,  might  justly  be  inflicted  on  the  savages, 
themselves. 

If  the  embarrassments  of  Spain  prevented  her  from 
making  an  indemnity  to  our  citizens,  for  so  long  a  time. 


336  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

from  her  treasury,  for  their  losses  of  spoliation,  and 
otherwise,  it  was  always  in  her  power  to  have  provid 
ed  it,  by  the  cession  of  this  territory.  Of  this,  her 
government  has  been  repeatedly  apprized  ;  and  the 
cession  was  the  more  to  be  anticipated,  as  Spain  must 
have  known  that,  in  ceding  it,  she  would,  in  effect,  cede 
what  had  become  of  little  value  to  her,  and  would  like 
wise  relieve  herself  from  the  important  obligation  se 
cured  by  the  treaty  of  1795,  and  all  other  compromit- 
ments  respecting  it.  If  the  United  States,  from  consid 
eration  of  these  embarrassments,  declined  pressing 
their  claims  in  a  spirit  of  hostility,  the  motive  ought,  at 
least,  to  have  been  duly  appreciated  by  the  government 
of  Spain.  It  is  well  known  to  her  government  that  oth 
er  powers  have  made  to  the  United  States  an  indemnity 
for  like  losses,  sustained  by  their  citizens  at  the  same 
epoch. 

There  is,  nevertheless,  a  limit  beyond  which,  this 
spirit  of  amity  and  forbearance  can,  in  no  instance,  be 
justified.  If  it  was  proper,  to  rely  on  amicable  negoci- 
ation,  for  an  indemnity  for  losses,  it  would  not  have 
been  so,  to  have  permitted  the  inability  of  Spain  to  ful 
fil  her  engagements,  and  to  sustain  her  authority  in  the 
Floridas,  to  be  perverted  by  foreign  adventurers  and 
savages,  to  purposes  so  destructive  to  the  lives  of  our 
fellow-citizens,  and  the  highest  interests  of  the  United 
States.  The  right  of  self  defence  never  ceases.  It  is 
among  the  most  sacred,  and  alike  necessary  to  nations 
and  to  individual.  And,  whether  the  attack  be  made 
by  Spain  herself,  or  by  those  who  abuse  her  power,  ita 
obligation  is  not  the  less  strong.  The  invaders  of 
Amelia  Island  had  assumed  a  popular  and  respected 


FRSSJD'ENT'S  TOUR,  357 

title,  under  which  they  might  approach  and  wound  us. 
As  their  object  was  distinctly  seen,  and  a  duty  imposed 
on  the  Executive  by  an  existing  law,  was  profoundly 
felt,  that  mask  was  not  permitted  to  protect  them.  It 
WHS  thought  incumbent  on  the  United  States,  to  sup 
press  the  establishment,  and  it  was  accordingly  done. 
The  combination  in  Florida,  for  the  unawful  purposes 
stated,  the  acts  perpetrated  by  that  combination,  and, 
above  all,  the  incitement  of  the  Indians,  to  massacre 
our  fellow-citizens,  of  every  age,  and  both  sexes,  mer 
ited  a  like  treatment,  and  received  it.  In  pursuing 
these  savages  to  an  imaginary  line,  in  the  woods,  it 
would  have  been  the  height  of  folly  to  have  suffered 
that  line  to  protect  them.  Had  that  been  done,  the 
war  could  never  cease.  Even  if  the  territory  had 
been  exclusively,  that  of  Spain,  and  her  power  com 
plete  over  it,  we  had  a  right,  by  the  law  of  nations,  to 
follow  the  enemy  on  it,  and  to  subdue  him  there.  But 
the  territory  belonged,  in  a  certain  sense,  at  least,  to 
the  savage  enemy  who  inhabited  it,  the  power  of  Spain 
had  ceased  to  exist  over  it,  and  protection  was  sought, 
under  her  title,  by  those  who  had  committed  on  our 
citizens  hostilities,  which  she  was  bound  by  treaty, 
to  have  prevented,  but  had  not  the  power  to  prevent. 
To  have  stopped  at  that  line,  would  have  given  new 
encouragement  to  these  savages,  and  new  vigour  to  the 
whole  combination  existing  there,  in  the  prosecution  of 
all  its  pernicious  purposes. 

In  suppressing  the   establishment  at  Amelia  Island, 

no  unfriendliness  was  manifested  towards  Spain,  because 

the  post  was  taken  from  a  force  which  had  wrested  it 

from  her.     The  measure,  it  is  true,  was  not  adopted 

F  f 


•'538  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

in  concert  with  the  Spanish  government,  or  those  in  au 
thority  under  it,  because,  in  transactions  connected  with 
the  war,  in  which  Spain  and  her  colonies  are  engaged, 
it  was  thought  proper,  in  doing  justice  to  the  United 
States,  to  maintain  a  strict  impartiality  towards  both 
the  belligerent  parties,  without  consulting  or  acting  in 
concert  with  either.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that 
the  governments  of  Buenos  Ayres  and  Venezuela,  whose 
names  were  assumed,  have  explicitly  disclaimed  all 
participation  in  these  measures,  and  even  the  knowl 
edge  of  them,  until  communicated  by  this  government, 
and  have  also  expressed  their  satisfaction,  that  a  course 
of  proceeding  had  been  suppressed,  which,  if  justly 
imputable  to  them,  would  dishonour  their  cause. 

In  authorising  Major-General  Jackson  to  enter  the 
Floridas,  in  pursuit  of  the  Seminoles,  care  was  taken 
not  to  encroach  on  the  rights  of  Spain.  I  regret  to 
have  to  add,  that  in  executing  this  order,  facts  were 
disclosed,  respecting  the  conduct  of  the  officers  of 
Spain,  in  authority  there,  in  encouraging  the  war,  fur 
nishing  munitions  of  war,  and  other  supplies  to  carry  it 
on,  and  in  other ^cts  not  less  marked,  which  evinced 
their  participation  in  the  hostile  purposes  of  that  com 
bination,  and  justified  the  confidence,  with  which  it  in 
spired  the  savages,  that  by  those  officers  they  would  be 
protected.  A  conduct  so  incompatible  with  the  friendly 
relations  existing  between  the  two  countries,  particu 
larly  with  the  positive  obligation  of  the  5th  article  of 
the  treaty  of  1795,  by  which  Spain  was  bound  to  re 
strain,  even  by  force,  those  savages,  from  acts  of  hos 
tility  against  the  United  States,  could  not  fail  to  excite 
surprise.  The  commanding  general  was  convinced  that 


339 

he  should  fail  in  his  object ;  that  he  should,  in  effect, 
accomplish  nothing,  if  he  did  not  deprive  those  savages 
of  the  resources  on  which  they  had  calculated,  and  of 
the  protection  on  which  they  had  relied  in  making  the 
war.  As  all  the  documents,  relating  to  this  occurrence, 
will  he  laid  before  Congress,  it  is  not  necessary  to  en 
ter  into  further  detail  respecting  it. 

Although  the  reasons  which  induced  Major  General 
Jackson  to  take  these  posts,  were  duly  appreciated, 
there  was,  nevertheless,  no  hesitation  in  deciding  on 
the  course  which  it  becomes  the  government  to  pursue. 
As  there  was  reasons  to  believe  that  the  commanders  of 
these  posts  had  violated  their  instructions,  there  was  no 
disposition  to  impute  to  their  governmenra  conduct  so 
unprovoked  and  hostile.  An  order  was  in  consequence 
issued  to  the  general  in  command  there,  to  deliver  the 
posts,  Pensacola,  unconditionally,  to  any  person  duly 
authorized  to  receive  it ;  and  St.  Marks,  which  is  in 
the  heart  of  the  Indian  country,  on  the  arrival  of  a  com 
petent  force  to  defend  it  against  those  savages  and  their 
associates. 

In  entering  Florida  to  suppress  this  combination,  no 
idea  was  entertained  of  hostility  to  Spain,  and,  however 
justifiable  the  commanding  general  was,  in  consequence 
of  the  misconduct  of  the  Spanish  officers,  in  entering 
St.  Marks  and  Pensacola,  to  terminate  it,  by  proving  to 
the  savages  and  their  associates,  that  they  should  not 
be  protected,  even  there  ;  yet  the  amicable  relations 
existing  .between  the  United  States  and  Spain  could  not 
be  altered  by  that  act  alone.  By  ordering  the  restitu 
tion  of  the  posts,  those  relations  were  preserved.  To 
a  change  of  them,  the  power  of  the  Executive  is  deem 
ed  incompetent.  It  is  vested  in  Congress  only. 


340  FfcESlDEM-'s    TOUR. 

By  this  measure,  so  promptly  taken,  due  respect 
was  shewn  to  the  government  of  Spain.  The  miscon 
duct  of  her  officers  has  not  been  imputed  to  her.  She 
was  enabled  to  review  with  candour  her  relations  \viih 
the  United  States,  and  her  own  situation,  particularly 
in  respect  to  the  territory  in  question,  with  the  dangers 
inseparable  from  it ;  and,  regarding  the  losses  we  have 
sustained,  for  which  indemnity  has  been  so  long  with 
held,  and  the  injuries  we  have  suffered  through  that 
territory,  and  her  means  of  redress,  she  was  likewise 
enabled  to  take,  with  honour,  the  course  best  calculated 
to  do  justice  to  the  United  States,  and  to  promote  her 
own  welfare. 

Copies  ofTnstructions  to  the  commanding  general  : 
of  his  correspondence  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  ex 
plaining  his  motives,  and  justifying  his  conduct,  with  a 
copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  court  Martial,  in  the 
trial  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambristie  :  and  of  the  corres 
pondence  between  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  the 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  Spain,  near  this  govern 
ment  ;  and  of  the  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States, 
at  Madrid,  with  the  government  of  Spain,  will  be  laid 
before  Congress. 

The  civil  war  which  has  so  long  prevailed  between 
Spain,  and  the  provinces  in  South  America,  still  con 
tinues  without  any  prospect  of  its  speedy  termination. 
The  information  respecting  the  condition  of  those  coun 
tries,  which  has  been  collected  by  the  Commissioners 
recently  returned  from  thence,  will  be  laid  before  Con 
gress  in  copies  of  their  reports,  with  such  other  infor 
mation  as  has  been  received  from  other  agents  of  the 
United  States. 


PRESIDENT'S  TOIH.  341 

It  appears  from  these  communications,  that  the  go 
vernment  of  Buenos  Ayres  declared  itself  independent 
in  July  1816,  having  previously  exercised  the  power 
of  an  independent  government,  though  in  the  name  of 
the  King  of  Spain,  from  the  year  1810  :  that  the  Banda 
Oriental,  the  Entre  Reos,  and  Paraguay,  with  the  city 
of  Santa  Fee,  all  of  which  are  also  independent,  are  un 
connected  with  the  present  government  of  Buenos 
Ayres  ;  that  Chili  has  declared  itself  independent,  and 
is  closely  connected  with  Buenos  Ayres  :  that  Venezu 
ela  has  also  declared  itself  independent,  and  now  main 
tains  the  conflict  with  various  success  ;  and  that  the  re 
maining  parts  of  South  America,  except  Monte  Video, 
and  such  other  portions  of  the  eastern  bank  of  the  La 
Plata  as  are  held  by  Portugal,  are  still  in  the  possession 
of  Spain,  or  in  a  certain  degree  under  her  influence. 

By  a  circular  note  addressed  by  the  Ministers  of 
Spain  to  the  allied  powers,  with  whom  they  are  respec 
tively  accredited,  it  appears  that  the  allies  have  under 
taken  to  mediate  between  Spain  and  the  South  American 
provinces,  and  that  the  manner  and  extent  of  their  in 
terposition  would  be  settled  by  a  Congress,  which  was 
to  have  met  at  Aix-la-Chapelle  in  September  last.  From 
the  general  policy  and  course  of  proceeding  observed  by 
the  allied  powers,  in  regard  to  this  contest,  it  is  inferred 
that  they  will  confine  their  interposition  to  the  expres 
sion  of  their  sentiments  ;  abstaining  from  the  application 
offeree.  I  state  this  impression,  that  force  will  not  be 
applied,  with  the  greater  satisfaction,  because  it  is  a 
course  more  consistent  with  justice,  and  likewise  au 
thorises  a  hope,  that  the  calamities  of  the  war  will  be 
F  f  2 


o42  PRESIDENTS  TOLH 

confined  to  the  parties  only,  and  will  be  of  shorter  dis* 
ration. 

From  the  view  taken  of  this  subject  founded  on  all 
the  information  we  have  been  able  to  obtain,  there,  is 
a  good  cause  to  be  satisfied  with  the  course  hitherto 
pursued  by  the  United  States  in  regard  to  this  contest, 
and  to  conclude,  that  it  is  proper  to  adhere  to  it,  espe 
cially,  in  the  present  state  of  affairs. 

I  have  great  satisfaction  in  stating,  that  our  relations 
with  France,  Russia  and  other  powers,  continue  on  the 
most  friendly  basis. 

In  our  domestic  concerns  we  have  ample  cause  of 
satisfaction.  The  receipts  into  the  Treasury,  during 
the  three  first  quarters  of  the  year,  have  exceeded 
seventeen  millions  of  dollars. 

After  satisfying  all  the  demands  which  have  been 
made  under  existing  appropriations,  including  the  final 
extinction  of  the  old  six  per  cent,  stock  and  the  redemp 
tion  of  a  rnoiety  of  the  Louisiana  debt,  it  is  estimated 
that  there  will  remain  in  the  Treasury,  on  the  first  day 
•of  January  next,  more  than  two  millions  of  dollars. 

It  is  ascertained  that  the  gross  revenue  which  has 
accrued  from  the  customs  during  the  same  period  a- 
mounts  to  twenty-one  millions  of  dollars,  and  that  the 
revenue  of  the  whole  year  may  be  estimated  at  not  less 
than  twenty-six  millions. — The  sale  of  the  public  lands 
during  the  year  has  also  greatly  exceeded,  both  in 
quantity  and  price,  that  of  any  former  year  ;  and  there 
is  just  reason  to  expect  a  progressive  improvement  in 
that  source  of  revenue. 

It  is  gratifying  to  know,  that,  although  the  annual 
expenditure  has  been  increased,  by  the  act  of  the  last 


PRESIDENT  S    TOUR. 


session  of  Congress,  providing  for  revolutionary  pen 
sions,  to  an  amount  about  equal  to  the  proceeds  of  thf 
internal  duties,  which  were  then  repealed,  the  revenue 
for  the  ensuing  year  will  be  proportion  ably  augmented, 
nnd  that  whilst  the  public  expenditure  will  probably  re 
main  stationary,  each  successive  year  will  add  to  the 
national  resources,  by  the  ordinary  increase  of  our 
population,  and  by  the  gradual  developement  of  our 
latent  sources  of  national  prosperity. 

The  strict  execution  of  the  revenue  laws,  resulting 
principally  from  the  salutary  provisions  of  the  act  of  the 
,20th  of  April  last,  amending  the  several  collection  laws, 
has,  it  is  presumed,  secured  to  domestic  manufactures 
all  the  relief  that  can  be  derived  from  the  duties,  which 
have  been  imposed  upon  foreign  merchandize  for  their 
protection.  Under  the  influence  of  this  relief,  several 
branches  of  this  important  national  interest,  have  as 
sumed  greater  activity,  and  although  it  is  hoped  that 
others  will  gradually  revive,  and  ultimately  triumph 
over  every  obstacle,  yet  the  expediency  of  granting 
further  protection,  is  submitted  to  your  consideration. 

The  measures  of  defence,  authorized  by  existing 
laws,  have  been  pursued  with  the  zeal  and  activity  due 
to  so  important  an  object,  and  with  all  the  dispatch  prac 
ticable  in  so  extensive  and  great  an  undertaking.  The 
survey  of  our  maritime  and  inland  frontiers  has  been 
continued  ;  and  at  the  points  where  it  was  decided  to 
erect  fortifications,  the  work  has  been  commenced,  and, 
in  some  instances,  considerable  progress  has  been  made  ; 
in  compliance  with  resolutions  of  the  last  session,  the 
board  of  commissioners  were  directed  to  examine  in  a 
particular  manner,  the  parts  of  the  coast  therein  desig 


oi  I  PRKSIDKXT'S    TOlll 


natcd,  and  to  report  t'r-pir  opinion  of  the  most  sua,, 
ble  sites  for  two  naval  depots.  This  work  is  in  a  train 
of  execution.  The  opinion  of  the  board  on  this  sub 
ject,  with  a  plan  of  all  the  works  necessary  to  a  general 
system  of  defence,  so  far  as  it  has  been  foirucd,  will  be 
laid  before  Congress,  in  a  report  from  the  proper  De 
partment,  as  soon  as  it  can  be  prepared. 

In  conformity  with  the  appropriations  of  last  session, 
treaties  have  been  formed  with  the  Quapaw  tribe  of  In 
dians,  inhabiting  the  country  on  the  Arkansnw,  and  with 
the  Great  and  Little  Osages  north  of  the  White  river  ; 
with  the  tribes  in  the  state  of  Indiana  ;  with  several 
tribes  within  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  the  Michigan  Ter 
ritory  ;  and  with  the  Chickasaws  ;  by  which  very  ex 
tensive  cessions  of  territory  have  been  made  to  the 
United  States.  Negociations  are  now  depending  with 
the  tribes  in  the  Illinois  territory,  and  with  the  Choc- 
taws,  by  which  it  is  expected  that  other  extensive  ces 
sions  will  be  made.  I  take  great  interest  in  stating  that 
the  cessions  already  made  which  are  considered  so  im 
portant  to  the  United  States,  have  been  obtained  on 
conditions  very  satisfactory  to  the  Indians. 

With  a  view  to  the  security  of  our  inland  frontiers,  it 
has  been  thought  exp  dient  to  establish  strong  posts  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Yellow  Stone  river,  and  at  the  Man- 
dan  vilL-;e,  on  the  Missouri  ;  and  at  the  mouth  of  St. 
Peters,  on  the  Mississippi,  at  no  great  distance  from 
our  northern  boundaries.  It  can  hardly  be  presumed, 
while  such  posts  are  maintained  in  the  rear  of  the  Indian 
tribes,  that  they  will  venture  to  attack  our  peaceable 
inhabitants.  A  strong  hope  is  entertained,  that  this 
measure  will  likewise  be  productive  of  much  good  to 


PRESIDENTS  TOUR.  ~45 

the  trribes  themselves,  especially  in  promoting  the 
great  object  of  their  civilization.  Experience  has  clear 
ly  demonstrated,  that  independent  savage  communities 
cannot  long  exist  within  the  limits  of  a  civilised  popula 
tion.  The  progress  of  the  latter  has,  almost  invaria 
bly,  terminated  in  the  extinction  of  the  former,  espe 
cially  of  the  tribes  belonging  to  our  portion  of  this  hem 
isphere,  among  whom,  loftiness  in  sentiment,  and  gal 
lantry  in  action,  have  been  conspicuous.  To  civilize 
them,  and  even  tp  prevent  their  extinction,  it  seems 
to  be  indispensable  that  their  independence,  as  commu 
nities,  should  cease,  and  that  the  control  of  the  United 
States  over  them,  should  be  contplete  and  undisputed. 
The  hunter  state  will  then  be  more  easily  abandoned, 
and  recourse  will  be  had  to  the  acquisition  and  culture 
of  land,  and  to  other  pursuits  tending  to  dissolve  the  ties 
which  connect  them  together  as  a  savage  community, 
and  to  give  a  new  character  to  every  individual.  I 
present  this  subject  to  the  consideration  of  Congress,  on 
the  presumption  that  it  may  be  found  expedient  and 
practicable  to  adopt  some  benevolent  provisions,  hav 
ing  these  objects  in  view,  relative  to  the  tribes  within 
our  settlements. 

It  has  been  necessary,  during  the  present  year,  to 
maintain  a  strong  naval  force  in  the  Mediterranean,  and 
in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  to  send  some  public  ships 
along  the  southern  coast,  and  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  By 
these  means  amicable  relations  with  the  Barbary  pow 
ers  have  been  preserved,  our  commerce  has  been  pro- 
ioctcd,  and  our  rights  respected.  The  augmentation  of 
our  navy  is  advancing,  with  a  steady  progress,  towards 
the  limit  contemplated  by  law, 


34G  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 

I  communicate,  with  great  satisfaction,  the  accession 
of  another  stite,  Illinois,  to  our  Union  ;  because  I  per 
ceive,  from  the  proof  afforded  by  the  additions  already 
made,  thejreguhir  progress  and  sure  consummation  of  a 
policy,  of  which  history  affords  no  example,  and  of 
which  the  good  effect  cannot  be  too  highly  estimated. 
By  extending  our  government,  on  the  principles  of  our 
constitution,  over  the  vast  territory  within  our  limits, 
on  the  Lakes  and  the  Mississippi,  and  its  numerous 
streams,  new  life  nnd  vigour  are  infused  into  every  part 
of  our  system.  By  increasing  the  number  of  the  states, 
the  confidence  of  the  state  governments  in  their  own 
security  is  increased,  and  their  jealousy  of  the  national 
government  proportionably  diminished.  The  imprac 
ticability  of  one  consolidated  government  for  this  great 
and  growing  nation,  will  be  more  apparent,  and  will  be 
universally  admitted.  Incapable  of  exercising  local 
authority,  except  for  general  purposes,  the  general  go 
vernment  will  no  longer  be  dreaded.  In  those  cases  of 
a  local  nature,  and  for  all  the  great  purposes  for  which 
it  was  instituted,  its  authority  will  be  cherished.  Each 
government  will  acquire  new  force  and  a  greater  free 
dom  of  pction  within  its  proper  sphere.  Other  inesti 
mable  advantages  will  follow  :  our  produce  will  be  aug 
mented  to  an  incalculable  amount,  in  articles  of  the 
greatest  value  for  domestic  nse  and  for  foreign  com 
merce.  Our  nivi^ition  will,  in  like  degree,  be  increas 
ed  ;  and,  as  the  shipping  of  tha  Atlantic  states  will  be 
employed  in  the  trnr-.^ports-ition  of  the  vast  produce  of 
the  /,  even  tiiose  parts  of  the  Unite. t 

States  which  are  the  most  remote  from  each  other,  will 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  347 

be  found  bound  together  by  the  strongest  ties  which 
mutual  interest  can  create. 

The  situation  of  this  District,  it  is  thought,  requires 
the  attention  of  Congress.  By  the  Constitution,  the 
power  of  legislation  is  exclusively  vested  in  the  Con 
gress  of  the  United  States.  In  the  exercise  of  this 
power,  in  which  the  people  have  no  participation,  Con 
gress  legislate  in  all  cases,  directly,  on  the  local  concerns 
of  the  District.  As  this  is  a  departure,  for  a  special 
purpose,  from  the  general  principles  of  our  system,  it 
may  merit  consideration,  whether  an  arrangement  bet 
ter  adapted  to  the  principles  of  our  government  and  to 
the  particular  interests  of  the  people,  may  not  be  devi 
sed,  which  will  neither  infringe  the  constitution,  nor 
affect  the  object  which  the  provision  in  question  was 
intended  to  secure.  The  growing  population,  already 
considerable,  and  the  increasing  business  of  the  Dis 
trict,  which  it  is  believed  already  interferes  with  the 
deliberations  of  Congress  on  great  national  concerns, 
furnish  additional  motives  for  recommending  this  sub 
ject  to  your  consideration. 

When  we  view  the  greater  blessings  with  which  our 
country  has  been  favored,  those  which  we  now  enjoy, 
and  the  means  which  we  possess  of  handing  them  down 
unimpaired,  to  our  latest  posterity,  our  attention  is  ir 
resistibly  drawn  to  the  source  from  whence  they  flow. 
Let  us,  then,  unite  in  offering  our  most  grateful  ac 
knowledgements  for  these  blessings  to  the  Divine  Au 
thor  of  all  good. 

JAMES  MONROE. 

November  17,  1818. 


348  PRESIDENT'S  Tottn. 

4 

Let  the  people  of  the  American  Republic  read  this 
Message,  and  rejoice  in  the  goodness  of  Providence, 
and  the  wisdom  of  their  Rulers,  for  the  blessings  they 
enjoy. 

The  approbation  bestowed  upon  the  immortal  Hero 
ofTohopeka  and  New  Orleans,  was  what  might  be  ex 
pected  from  a  man  who  "  views  the  whole  ground." 
To  JAMES  MONROE,  is  the  Republic  indebted  for  the 
acquisition  of  Louisiana,  and  of  consequence  the  Mis 
sissippi,  by  the  masterly  diplomatic  skill  of  that  States 
man.  To  ANDREW  JACKSON  is  it  indebted  for  the 
defence  of  the  country  by  the  sword,  which  was  ac 
quired  by  negotiation  While  America  has  such  men  to 
secure  their  rights  in  the  Cabinet,  and  such  men  to  de 
fend  them  in  the  field,  she  has  nothing  to  fear  from 
abroad  or  at  home.  May  a  succession  of  such  men  con 
tinue  to  arise  with  our  rising  Republic,  and  through 
unborn  generations  transmit  unimpaired,  the  unparal 
leled  blessings  we  enjoy. 


Note.' — In  page  229,  Gen.  RIPLEY  is  said  to  have  beea 
woundod  at  Bridgewater — He  received  his  wound  at 
Fort  Erie. 


, 


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APS  21  ma 

APR  7  -  19R?  7  fi 

_ 

RECTD  L.D 

MAR  24  '66  -6  PI 

APR  2  3  1971  ?1 

W*JU5 

Hi  ii  w  v  i*y  i  • 

;  :  i 

APR 

1071-lPtt 

...... 

M99739 


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